WATERTOWER MUSIC AND TEENAGE RIOT RECORDS ANNOUNCE 3 NEW SONGS FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM MORTAL KOMBAT: SONGS INSPIRED BY THE WARRIORS
SONGS CHOSEN BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JFK OF MSTRKRFT/DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Burbank, CA (February 11, 2011) - WaterTower Music and Teenage Riot Records are excited to announce the upcoming album Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors. Set for release this spring, this all-new collection of music is executive produced by JFK (of the innovative DJ/production duo MSTRKRFT and Death From Above 1979) and is made up of songs inspired by the iconic warriors from the acclaimed fighting game Mortal Kombat. JFK has hand selected songs by some of electronic music’s most resonant names, and the resulting compilation plays as a cohesive album that adds an engaging element to the latest edition of the iconic video game.
Last month, the first track, “Mileena’s Theme” by noted DJ and Producer Tokimonsta, was released to high-praise. Acknowledging feverish demand from fans, two more songs from the forthcoming album have been released: “Helado (Sub-Zero’s Theme)” by celebrated producer Harvard Bass and “Liu Kang’s Theme” by Italian DJ and producer Congorock. All three tracks are now available for download on iTunes and Amazon and the full album will be available on April 5.
The album has been inspired by the latest game in the Mortal Kombat franchise, which will be in stores April 19 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The newest chapter in the legendary videogame series marks a triumphant return to the mature presentation and a reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic. Mortal Kombat will introduce a number of new game-play features including tag team, a deeper story mode and nostalgic online and offline arcade battles. Players will be able to choose from an extensive lineup of the game’s iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches as well as several new game modes.
View the new Liu Kang video today at the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZVDuG-hq9o
And View the Mileena video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1joNfSV274
For more information about the game, Mortal Kombat, log onto www.themortalkombat.com and visit www.facebook.com/mortalkombat.
ABOUT WATERTOWER MUSIC:
WATERTOWER MUSIC, the in-house music label for Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., has been releasing recorded music since 2002. Distributed by Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of Universal Music Group Distribution, WTM has released over 75 titles, including the film soundtracks to the multi-platinum “Hairspray,” “Sex and the City,” “Valentine’s Day” “The Hangover,” “Sherlock Holmes,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.” The 2011 WaterTower release schedule includes the soundtracks to “The Hangover 2,” “Green Lantern,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.”
ABOUT TEENAGE RIOT RECORDS:
Teenage Riot Records was born from conversations between Jesse F. Keeler of MSTRKRFT and Adrian Martinez of Undocumented Management. They realized that there was a need for a simple, fair and safe place for artists to put out their music, done in a way that answers the challenges and needs created by the new digital age of music. In other words, an artist driven label whose main goal is to give forward-thinking new music an effective outlet to reach the world.
ABOUT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.
Friday, February 11, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
Celebrate the Inevitable Ending with DarkBrain.com
For Immediate Release: DarkBrain.com’s most popular character is about to take her final bow, cry her final tear, exact her last revenge. Played by legendary adult film actress Tabitha Stevens, Brenna Davis, the badass cursed dominatrix in the web comic publisher’s series Mirror, Mirror, debuts in the final chapter of her horrifying and chilling, yet sexy story, set to launch on Monday February 14th.
With the release of the final chapter, Mirror, Mirror will have all 104 pages of this incredible journey available on the DarkBrain.com website for free. Readers were introduced to the seemingly bitter dominatrix Brenna one year ago and her journey has fascinated and enthralled readers by explaining Brenna’s wicked curse – anyone and anyything she loves will wither and die in front of her. Cursed and haunted by her dead sister, Brenna built a defensive wall via her dominatrix persona, a wall that has come crashing down as she has fallen in love. The fifth and final issue of this series completes her amazing story. Mirror, Mirror #5 will be available in flash format with voiceover narration by Stevens, Sarella Bond as Mirriam, JT Crave as Frank, Dawn Davis as Pam and joining the cast, Lois "LoLo" Burak as Nurse Hamblin. The issue will also be available in movie (MP4) format viewable on any mobile device such as iPhones, iPads, Andriods, PSPs and much more.
In celebration of the conclusion of Mirror, Mirror as a series and DarkBrain.com’s first birthday, publisher and Mirror, Mirror’s creator Andrew Zar is compiling all five issues into one amazing graphic novel. DarkBrain’s first printed publication, Mirror, Mirror: Forgiveness is currently on sale through their website and the first 100 copies sold will include an autograph by Tabitha Stevens and Andrew Zar.
DarkBrain.com produces original series of comics, mostly created by Andrew Zar and features the collaborated efforts of dozens of artists; each story has graphic novel quality art, an adult-oriented edgy story and voice-over narration. The website currently hosts over 400 pages of free comics, as well as offering monthly memberships that offer additional benefits such as content control, access to additional and advance content and the opportunity to enjoy comics in an ad-free environment.
Celebrate the Inevitable Ending with DarkBrain.com
For Immediate Release: DarkBrain.com’s most popular character is about to take her final bow, cry her final tear, exact her last revenge. Played by legendary adult film actress Tabitha Stevens, Brenna Davis, the badass cursed dominatrix in the web comic publisher’s series Mirror, Mirror, debuts in the final chapter of her horrifying and chilling, yet sexy story, set to launch on Monday February 14th.
With the release of the final chapter, Mirror, Mirror will have all 104 pages of this incredible journey available on the DarkBrain.com website for free. Readers were introduced to the seemingly bitter dominatrix Brenna one year ago and her journey has fascinated and enthralled readers by explaining Brenna’s wicked curse – anyone and anyything she loves will wither and die in front of her. Cursed and haunted by her dead sister, Brenna built a defensive wall via her dominatrix persona, a wall that has come crashing down as she has fallen in love. The fifth and final issue of this series completes her amazing story. Mirror, Mirror #5 will be available in flash format with voiceover narration by Stevens, Sarella Bond as Mirriam, JT Crave as Frank, Dawn Davis as Pam and joining the cast, Lois "LoLo" Burak as Nurse Hamblin. The issue will also be available in movie (MP4) format viewable on any mobile device such as iPhones, iPads, Andriods, PSPs and much more.
In celebration of the conclusion of Mirror, Mirror as a series and DarkBrain.com’s first birthday, publisher and Mirror, Mirror’s creator Andrew Zar is compiling all five issues into one amazing graphic novel. DarkBrain’s first printed publication, Mirror, Mirror: Forgiveness is currently on sale through their website and the first 100 copies sold will include an autograph by Tabitha Stevens and Andrew Zar.
DarkBrain.com produces original series of comics, mostly created by Andrew Zar and features the collaborated efforts of dozens of artists; each story has graphic novel quality art, an adult-oriented edgy story and voice-over narration. The website currently hosts over 400 pages of free comics, as well as offering monthly memberships that offer additional benefits such as content control, access to additional and advance content and the opportunity to enjoy comics in an ad-free environment.
Enter the Dark Vampire World of Charlaine Harris
in I-play's newest PC Game, Dying for Daylight
From Best-Selling Author of the Sookie Stackhouse
Novels, Inspiration for the Hit Show True Blood, Comes an Original Interactive Vampire Adventure
NEW YORK - February 11, 2011 - Embark on a darkly humorous journey as I-play, Oberon Media's publishing division and the world's leading multi-platform casual games publisher, today announced the online release of their newest game, Dying for Daylight; now available for PC download. An original vampire tale created with best-selling author Charlaine Harris, whose novels inspired HBO's hit show True Blood, Dying for Daylight takes Harris' work to an interactive platform for the very first time. Players will enter a chilling world as they assume the role of Dahlia, a vampire with a devastating sense of fashion and a razor-sharp wit. Drawn in by a unique and sinister art style, Dying for Daylight delivers a fresh and thrilling twist to the Hidden Object/Light Adventure game.
"As an author, I have spent my life focusing on the power of words. I can honestly say that this collaboration with I-play has been eye-opening, showing the unique way stories can be told and characters brought to life in games," said Harris." Dahlia has always been one of my favorite and complex characters, and it has been rewarding and fascinating to explore her true personality, while creating all new storylines and adventures for her to experience."
In Dying for Daylight Dahlia takes players on an epic journey across New Orleans, Memphis and Charleston Harbor to find a legendary sun potion allowing vampires to survive in daylight.Discovering she is not the only one after this powerful tonic, Dahlia must match her wits against a rival sect of vampires who have scattered the ingredients among an avant-garde circus troupe. With each eclectic troupe member holding a piece of the potion, Dahlia must uncover their devious secrets and procure the mixture before it falls into the wrong hands. By collecting clues, solving puzzles and gathering the needed ingredients, players will guide Dahlia in her mission to find the legendary potion before it's too late.
"Charlaine's vivid imagery and intriguing storylines made her work the perfect basis for an interactive game," said Bob Hayes, Chief Operating Officer at Oberon-Media. "As the story unfolds, Sookie Stackhouse fans, True Blood fans and gamers alike will become fully immersed in her one-of-a-kind vampire world."
Charlaine Harris is the latest literary powerhouse to partner with I-play. The casual games publisher has generated more than 60 Million downloads across its four book-based franchises. These games include four James Patterson Women's Murder Club titles, four Agatha Christie adaptations, atitle based on a Nora Roberts noveland most recently the transformation of The Great Gatsby into an interactive game experience. Working closely with some of the most successful authors and classic literature names of all time, I-play creates top-notch games that are true to the original story, bring life to legendary works and create all-new adventures that are visually stunning, fun to play and incredibly compelling.
Dying for Daylight is now available at:
http://www.iplay.com/deluxe.aspx?code=11984137&RefID=DFD_PR
or at Dying for Daylight's official page :
http://www.DyingforDaylight.com/
Check out the Dying For Daylight Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/DyingforDaylight
Follow I-play at
Twitter.com/IplayGaming
# # #
About I-play
I-play, the publishing division of Oberon Media, Inc., is the world's leading multi-platform casual games publisher. With top franchises and massive distribution across online, social, mobile, and interactive television -- I-play content reaches global consumers, and delivers fun, entertaining, accessible content to casual gamers of all ages. I-play's PC publishing division is the creator of the hit Dream Day series, as well as the first casual games for bestselling authors James Patterson, Nora Roberts, and legendary mystery author Agatha Christie. I-play's mobile division is delivering some of the biggest selling franchises in the mobile space, including the world's #1 best-selling racing franchise, Fast and Furious, based on the blockbuster movies. I-play's Interactive Television group provides unmatched casual game content for the living room, currently available to 38 million homes through key partners such as DISH Network, DirecTV, Bell ExpressVu and many others. I-play is headquartered in New York City, with offices around the world including Seattle, London, Tel Aviv, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Dunfermline, Scotland.
About Oberon Media
Oberon Media is the world's leading multi-platform casual games company, delivering global, integrated casual games solutions across online, social, mobile/Smartphone, interactive TV and retail categories. Oberon game solutions have been adopted by the world's leading digital and media companies, such as Microsoft, AT&T, Yahoo!, Electronic Arts, Orange France and more. Oberon Media's game publishing division, I-play, works with the industry's most talented game developers to produce the top-selling casual games, which are played across online, social, mobile/Smartphone, console and iTV platforms in more than a dozen languages. Founded in 2003, Oberon Media is headquartered in New York with offices in North America, Europe and Asia, and is backed by Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Oak Investment Partners.
in I-play's newest PC Game, Dying for DaylightFrom Best-Selling Author of the Sookie Stackhouse
Novels, Inspiration for the Hit Show True Blood, Comes an Original Interactive Vampire AdventureNEW YORK - February 11, 2011 - Embark on a darkly humorous journey as I-play, Oberon Media's publishing division and the world's leading multi-platform casual games publisher, today announced the online release of their newest game, Dying for Daylight; now available for PC download. An original vampire tale created with best-selling author Charlaine Harris, whose novels inspired HBO's hit show True Blood, Dying for Daylight takes Harris' work to an interactive platform for the very first time. Players will enter a chilling world as they assume the role of Dahlia, a vampire with a devastating sense of fashion and a razor-sharp wit. Drawn in by a unique and sinister art style, Dying for Daylight delivers a fresh and thrilling twist to the Hidden Object/Light Adventure game.
"As an author, I have spent my life focusing on the power of words. I can honestly say that this collaboration with I-play has been eye-opening, showing the unique way stories can be told and characters brought to life in games," said Harris." Dahlia has always been one of my favorite and complex characters, and it has been rewarding and fascinating to explore her true personality, while creating all new storylines and adventures for her to experience."
In Dying for Daylight Dahlia takes players on an epic journey across New Orleans, Memphis and Charleston Harbor to find a legendary sun potion allowing vampires to survive in daylight.Discovering she is not the only one after this powerful tonic, Dahlia must match her wits against a rival sect of vampires who have scattered the ingredients among an avant-garde circus troupe. With each eclectic troupe member holding a piece of the potion, Dahlia must uncover their devious secrets and procure the mixture before it falls into the wrong hands. By collecting clues, solving puzzles and gathering the needed ingredients, players will guide Dahlia in her mission to find the legendary potion before it's too late.
"Charlaine's vivid imagery and intriguing storylines made her work the perfect basis for an interactive game," said Bob Hayes, Chief Operating Officer at Oberon-Media. "As the story unfolds, Sookie Stackhouse fans, True Blood fans and gamers alike will become fully immersed in her one-of-a-kind vampire world."
Charlaine Harris is the latest literary powerhouse to partner with I-play. The casual games publisher has generated more than 60 Million downloads across its four book-based franchises. These games include four James Patterson Women's Murder Club titles, four Agatha Christie adaptations, atitle based on a Nora Roberts noveland most recently the transformation of The Great Gatsby into an interactive game experience. Working closely with some of the most successful authors and classic literature names of all time, I-play creates top-notch games that are true to the original story, bring life to legendary works and create all-new adventures that are visually stunning, fun to play and incredibly compelling.
Dying for Daylight is now available at:
http://www.iplay.com/deluxe.aspx?code=11984137&RefID=DFD_PR
or at Dying for Daylight's official page :
http://www.DyingforDaylight.com/
Check out the Dying For Daylight Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/DyingforDaylight
Follow I-play at
Twitter.com/IplayGaming
# # #
About I-play
I-play, the publishing division of Oberon Media, Inc., is the world's leading multi-platform casual games publisher. With top franchises and massive distribution across online, social, mobile, and interactive television -- I-play content reaches global consumers, and delivers fun, entertaining, accessible content to casual gamers of all ages. I-play's PC publishing division is the creator of the hit Dream Day series, as well as the first casual games for bestselling authors James Patterson, Nora Roberts, and legendary mystery author Agatha Christie. I-play's mobile division is delivering some of the biggest selling franchises in the mobile space, including the world's #1 best-selling racing franchise, Fast and Furious, based on the blockbuster movies. I-play's Interactive Television group provides unmatched casual game content for the living room, currently available to 38 million homes through key partners such as DISH Network, DirecTV, Bell ExpressVu and many others. I-play is headquartered in New York City, with offices around the world including Seattle, London, Tel Aviv, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Dunfermline, Scotland.
About Oberon Media
Oberon Media is the world's leading multi-platform casual games company, delivering global, integrated casual games solutions across online, social, mobile/Smartphone, interactive TV and retail categories. Oberon game solutions have been adopted by the world's leading digital and media companies, such as Microsoft, AT&T, Yahoo!, Electronic Arts, Orange France and more. Oberon Media's game publishing division, I-play, works with the industry's most talented game developers to produce the top-selling casual games, which are played across online, social, mobile/Smartphone, console and iTV platforms in more than a dozen languages. Founded in 2003, Oberon Media is headquartered in New York with offices in North America, Europe and Asia, and is backed by Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Oak Investment Partners.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
STUNNING J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
COVER WRAPS UP QUESTIONABLE THINGS
This Revealing Look at the Private Lives of Elephantmen
Warrants An "M" Rating
Berkeley, CA - 10 February 2011 – Lovely Miki will once again grace the cover of ELEPHANTMEN, but this time she will be joined by a mature readers label for the first time ever! While the beautiful cover by the famed J. Scott Campbell is enough to get pulses racing, it was the interior pages of this most revealing issue that caused Richard Starkings and Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson to decide on the "M" rating for this pulp science fiction series.
Richard Starkings spoke of the mature label, "Right from the beginning I wanted to show that the Elephantmen were attractive to women, and attracted to women. When Ladrönn and I launched HIP FLASK, we decided very definitely that the book would be R rated, and I think ELEPHANTMEN #30 has to carry the actual rating, because there are scenes in the issue which will raise some eyebrows."
Starkings added, "I do like that Miki is very much the proactive partner in the relationship, because some girls in the real world do like to let guys know that they're interested -- they like to lead, they like to be in control, and Miki is one of those girls. She's comfortable with her sexuality and in this issue she shows it. And in the next one too, so it looks like the "Mature Readers" label will stay!"
In this final installment of the Questionable Things story arc, Miki visits Hip Flask to kiss and make up after recent events… and to spend a quiet night alone with him! This issue will lead into the one shot ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN, which will be a great jumping on point for readers that have not yet been introduced to the series.
While the series has often walked a fine line as far as ratings are concerned, the quality of story and art has always been highly praised. And for the first time since joining the series with issue #26, Axel Medellin is creating fully painted art himself.
ELEPHANTMEN #30, a 32-page full-color science fiction comic book for mature readers will be for sale in stores on March 9, 2011 for $3.50.
COVER WRAPS UP QUESTIONABLE THINGSThis Revealing Look at the Private Lives of Elephantmen
Warrants An "M" RatingBerkeley, CA - 10 February 2011 – Lovely Miki will once again grace the cover of ELEPHANTMEN, but this time she will be joined by a mature readers label for the first time ever! While the beautiful cover by the famed J. Scott Campbell is enough to get pulses racing, it was the interior pages of this most revealing issue that caused Richard Starkings and Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson to decide on the "M" rating for this pulp science fiction series.
Richard Starkings spoke of the mature label, "Right from the beginning I wanted to show that the Elephantmen were attractive to women, and attracted to women. When Ladrönn and I launched HIP FLASK, we decided very definitely that the book would be R rated, and I think ELEPHANTMEN #30 has to carry the actual rating, because there are scenes in the issue which will raise some eyebrows."
Starkings added, "I do like that Miki is very much the proactive partner in the relationship, because some girls in the real world do like to let guys know that they're interested -- they like to lead, they like to be in control, and Miki is one of those girls. She's comfortable with her sexuality and in this issue she shows it. And in the next one too, so it looks like the "Mature Readers" label will stay!"
In this final installment of the Questionable Things story arc, Miki visits Hip Flask to kiss and make up after recent events… and to spend a quiet night alone with him! This issue will lead into the one shot ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN, which will be a great jumping on point for readers that have not yet been introduced to the series.
While the series has often walked a fine line as far as ratings are concerned, the quality of story and art has always been highly praised. And for the first time since joining the series with issue #26, Axel Medellin is creating fully painted art himself.
ELEPHANTMEN #30, a 32-page full-color science fiction comic book for mature readers will be for sale in stores on March 9, 2011 for $3.50.
BLUE ESTATE, 100 PROOF ACTION
Image Comics Presents a Loaded New Series
Berkeley, CA - 10 February 2011 – Looking for a high-octane adrenalin shot of comic violence? Viktor Kalvachev
, the creative force behind the graphic novel PHERONE, leads readers through the breakneck landscape of mistaken identities, backstabbing conspirators and maximum firepower with BLUE ESTATE, an all-new 12-issue miniseries debuting in April from Image Comics.
Slacker detective Roy Devine, Jr. narrates this fast-paced tale of tangled relationships and alliances. His tale begins with a pair of tabloid darlings: former "it girl," Rachel, and her leading man, the action film star Bruce Maddox. Bruce has been involved in some shady dealings on the side, and it doesn’t take long for a handful of merciless big shots and careless bit players of both the Italian and Russian mafia to enter the scene!
Viktor Kalvachev and his team of regular and special guest contributors have designed the look and feel of BLUE ESTATE to complement the unconventional story and characters. Artistic styles shift within issues to indicate jumps in time, swings of mood and reversals of fortune from scene to scene.
“The feel of the book is like a comic jam session between talented friends,” says Kalvachev. “Plus, it keeps readers guessing at what will happen next!”
"Viktor has done an amazing job assembling his creative team for this series," adds Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "He's got some great artists involved and they're working together in a truly unique way that brings out the best in what's shaping up to be a fun crime caper."
BLUE ESTATE #1 features a story by Viktor Kalvachev and Kosta Yanev, script by Andrew Osborne, and art by Toby Cypress, Robert Valley, Nathan Fox and Kalvachev. But while the creative team behind BLUE ESTATE includes an impressive line up of talent, what’s sure to stick with readers is the book’s memorable cast of desperate heroes, ruthless villains and hapless bystanders!
BLUE ESTATE #1, a 32-page full-color comedic crime comic book that will appeal to fans of films like Get Shorty, Snatch and Inglorious Bastards, will be for sale in stores on April 6, 2011 for $2.99.
Image Comics Presents a Loaded New Series
Berkeley, CA - 10 February 2011 – Looking for a high-octane adrenalin shot of comic violence? Viktor Kalvachev
, the creative force behind the graphic novel PHERONE, leads readers through the breakneck landscape of mistaken identities, backstabbing conspirators and maximum firepower with BLUE ESTATE, an all-new 12-issue miniseries debuting in April from Image Comics.Slacker detective Roy Devine, Jr. narrates this fast-paced tale of tangled relationships and alliances. His tale begins with a pair of tabloid darlings: former "it girl," Rachel, and her leading man, the action film star Bruce Maddox. Bruce has been involved in some shady dealings on the side, and it doesn’t take long for a handful of merciless big shots and careless bit players of both the Italian and Russian mafia to enter the scene!
Viktor Kalvachev and his team of regular and special guest contributors have designed the look and feel of BLUE ESTATE to complement the unconventional story and characters. Artistic styles shift within issues to indicate jumps in time, swings of mood and reversals of fortune from scene to scene.
“The feel of the book is like a comic jam session between talented friends,” says Kalvachev. “Plus, it keeps readers guessing at what will happen next!”
"Viktor has done an amazing job assembling his creative team for this series," adds Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "He's got some great artists involved and they're working together in a truly unique way that brings out the best in what's shaping up to be a fun crime caper."
BLUE ESTATE #1 features a story by Viktor Kalvachev and Kosta Yanev, script by Andrew Osborne, and art by Toby Cypress, Robert Valley, Nathan Fox and Kalvachev. But while the creative team behind BLUE ESTATE includes an impressive line up of talent, what’s sure to stick with readers is the book’s memorable cast of desperate heroes, ruthless villains and hapless bystanders!
BLUE ESTATE #1, a 32-page full-color comedic crime comic book that will appeal to fans of films like Get Shorty, Snatch and Inglorious Bastards, will be for sale in stores on April 6, 2011 for $2.99.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
JACKIE ESTACADO DESCENDS INTO OUTER DARKNESS
Introducing a New Six-Part Story Arc by Phil Hester
and Sheldon Mitchell 
Berkeley, CA - 9 February 2011 –
In the wake of Top Cow's announcement of THE DARKNESS II video game for the Sony Playstation 3 from 2K Games, Image Comics and Top Cow Productions will present a new six-issue story arc entitled "Outer Darkness" for the ongoing comic book that started it all. Beginning in THE DARKNESS #90, Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado will be forced to confront his ultimate enemy.
Having previously dispatched The Sovereign, Jackie Estacado was hoping to finally have some time for quiet reflection. However, it soon becomes apparent that his introspective plans will be interrupted when assassins come looking for him. Estacado must quickly discover who has sent these assassins, but things get increasingly complicated when The Foreigner returns to warn Jackie that the enemy he should really be watching for is the one within!
This high stakes story is brought to life by artist Sheldon Mitchell, who is returning to THE DARKNESS for this arc, along with inkers Sal Regla and Rick Basaldua as well as colorist Felix Serrano. This creative team will illustrate the story arc that begins to wrap up acclaimed writer Phil Hester's long run on THE DARKNESS, which ends with issue #100.
"It seems like I started on THE DARKNESS just yesterday," Hester reminisced. "To know that there are four trades out there now is kind of mind-boggling. Time does fly when you're having fun, and working with Sheldon Mitchell, as well as artists like Michael Broussard, Jorge Lucas, Romano Molenaar, and Whilce Portacio certainly qualifies as fun."
Hester added, "I hope it's as fun to read as it was to write. I'm not given to hyperbole, but this next year of THE DARKNESS is going to come at you hard and fast!"
"Phil Hester has put together what I believe will one day be looked at as one of the definitive runs on THE DARKNESS and "Outer Darkness" begins the culmination of the third arc that Phil wanted to tell when he first pitched for this series," said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. "Sheldon Mitchell has really stepped up his already impressive game and is delivering some of the best art of his career. "Outer Darkness" promises to be a tense, high stakes arc fans won't want to miss!"
THE DARKNESS #90, a 32 page full-color comic book will be for sale in stores on March 2, 2011 for $2.99.
Introducing a New Six-Part Story Arc by Phil Hester
and Sheldon Mitchell Berkeley, CA - 9 February 2011 –
In the wake of Top Cow's announcement of THE DARKNESS II video game for the Sony Playstation 3 from 2K Games, Image Comics and Top Cow Productions will present a new six-issue story arc entitled "Outer Darkness" for the ongoing comic book that started it all. Beginning in THE DARKNESS #90, Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado will be forced to confront his ultimate enemy.
Having previously dispatched The Sovereign, Jackie Estacado was hoping to finally have some time for quiet reflection. However, it soon becomes apparent that his introspective plans will be interrupted when assassins come looking for him. Estacado must quickly discover who has sent these assassins, but things get increasingly complicated when The Foreigner returns to warn Jackie that the enemy he should really be watching for is the one within!
This high stakes story is brought to life by artist Sheldon Mitchell, who is returning to THE DARKNESS for this arc, along with inkers Sal Regla and Rick Basaldua as well as colorist Felix Serrano. This creative team will illustrate the story arc that begins to wrap up acclaimed writer Phil Hester's long run on THE DARKNESS, which ends with issue #100.
"It seems like I started on THE DARKNESS just yesterday," Hester reminisced. "To know that there are four trades out there now is kind of mind-boggling. Time does fly when you're having fun, and working with Sheldon Mitchell, as well as artists like Michael Broussard, Jorge Lucas, Romano Molenaar, and Whilce Portacio certainly qualifies as fun."
Hester added, "I hope it's as fun to read as it was to write. I'm not given to hyperbole, but this next year of THE DARKNESS is going to come at you hard and fast!"
"Phil Hester has put together what I believe will one day be looked at as one of the definitive runs on THE DARKNESS and "Outer Darkness" begins the culmination of the third arc that Phil wanted to tell when he first pitched for this series," said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. "Sheldon Mitchell has really stepped up his already impressive game and is delivering some of the best art of his career. "Outer Darkness" promises to be a tense, high stakes arc fans won't want to miss!"
THE DARKNESS #90, a 32 page full-color comic book will be for sale in stores on March 2, 2011 for $2.99.
Monday, February 07, 2011
12-Gauge Comics goes digital with Graphicly
Birmingham, AL – February 8, 2011 -- 12-Gauge Comics is proud to announce that it's critically acclaimed line of books are exclusively available for download across Graphicly’s digital family of platforms. Immediately available are New York Times #1 bestselling author and 4-Time World Heavyweight Champion Mick Foley’s action-series R.P.M., the gritty crime drama 25 TO LIFE, and breakout hit MAGUS. Country music sensation Trace Adkins’ LUKE MC BAIN, THE RIDE, BOONDOCK SAINTS, BODY BAGS and other 12-Gauge favorites will follow soon. To celebrate today’s announcement, MAGUS #1 is currently available for download free of charge, for a limited time.
12-Gauge publisher Keven Gardner had this to say: “12-Gauge is a unique brand and we’ve been looking for a unique partner to get our titles out to a new, digital audience. Graphicly has attacked this quickly expanding marketplace in both an aggressive and impressive fashion, while making sure the digital experience is very user-friendly. I’m thrilled to be working with the amazing team at Graphicly and look forward to growing our fan base through their platform.“
“We’re extremely excited to be working with 12-Gauge Comics and introducing our community to the great titles they publish,” said Micah Baldwin, CEO of Graphicly, “With great comics like MAGUS along with top talent like Trace Adkins & Mick Foley, we know that 12-Gauge and Graphicly will be something comic fans won’t want to miss”
Graphicly is available to readers on a variety of platforms. Desktop users can download the desktop app at www.graphicly.com or read via the web with through Graphicly’s Chrome App via Google’s chrome Browser. Mobile users can download the Graphicly app for the iPhone or iPad via Apple’s iTunes store.
####
About the Publisher
12-Gauge Comics was founded by Keven Gardner in 2004 and currently publishes some of the most successful and critically acclaimed independent comic books in the marketplace today. 12-Gauge members Jason Pearson, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, and Doug Wagner are creating new and innovative multi-media concepts for the company, including Pearson’s run-away hit BODY BAGS, THE RIDE, which debuted as the top-selling black and white comic of the year in 2004, and the upcoming action series ICE. 12-Gauge has launched multiple crossover hits, including THE O.C.T., an original comic book concept co-created and starring actress ROSARIO DAWSON, country superstar TRACE ADKINS’ LUKE MC BAIN, multiple New York Times #1 Bestselling Author and 4-Time World Heavyweight Champion MICK FOLEY’s R.P.M., and 25 TO LIFE, a concept created by ERIQ LA SALLE. For more information on the company, please visit www.12gaugecomics.com or email info@12gaugecomics.com
About Graphicly
Graphicly is a cutting-edge entertainment digital content delivery system and community platform, providing an immersive social experience and marketplace around digital comics and associated entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.graphicly.com
Birmingham, AL – February 8, 2011 -- 12-Gauge Comics is proud to announce that it's critically acclaimed line of books are exclusively available for download across Graphicly’s digital family of platforms. Immediately available are New York Times #1 bestselling author and 4-Time World Heavyweight Champion Mick Foley’s action-series R.P.M., the gritty crime drama 25 TO LIFE, and breakout hit MAGUS. Country music sensation Trace Adkins’ LUKE MC BAIN, THE RIDE, BOONDOCK SAINTS, BODY BAGS and other 12-Gauge favorites will follow soon. To celebrate today’s announcement, MAGUS #1 is currently available for download free of charge, for a limited time.
12-Gauge publisher Keven Gardner had this to say: “12-Gauge is a unique brand and we’ve been looking for a unique partner to get our titles out to a new, digital audience. Graphicly has attacked this quickly expanding marketplace in both an aggressive and impressive fashion, while making sure the digital experience is very user-friendly. I’m thrilled to be working with the amazing team at Graphicly and look forward to growing our fan base through their platform.“
“We’re extremely excited to be working with 12-Gauge Comics and introducing our community to the great titles they publish,” said Micah Baldwin, CEO of Graphicly, “With great comics like MAGUS along with top talent like Trace Adkins & Mick Foley, we know that 12-Gauge and Graphicly will be something comic fans won’t want to miss”
Graphicly is available to readers on a variety of platforms. Desktop users can download the desktop app at www.graphicly.com or read via the web with through Graphicly’s Chrome App via Google’s chrome Browser. Mobile users can download the Graphicly app for the iPhone or iPad via Apple’s iTunes store.
####
About the Publisher
12-Gauge Comics was founded by Keven Gardner in 2004 and currently publishes some of the most successful and critically acclaimed independent comic books in the marketplace today. 12-Gauge members Jason Pearson, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, and Doug Wagner are creating new and innovative multi-media concepts for the company, including Pearson’s run-away hit BODY BAGS, THE RIDE, which debuted as the top-selling black and white comic of the year in 2004, and the upcoming action series ICE. 12-Gauge has launched multiple crossover hits, including THE O.C.T., an original comic book concept co-created and starring actress ROSARIO DAWSON, country superstar TRACE ADKINS’ LUKE MC BAIN, multiple New York Times #1 Bestselling Author and 4-Time World Heavyweight Champion MICK FOLEY’s R.P.M., and 25 TO LIFE, a concept created by ERIQ LA SALLE. For more information on the company, please visit www.12gaugecomics.com or email info@12gaugecomics.com
About Graphicly
Graphicly is a cutting-edge entertainment digital content delivery system and community platform, providing an immersive social experience and marketplace around digital comics and associated entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.graphicly.com
ECHOES DAILY DOSE OF HORROR
Top Cow and CBR Present Echoes Daily, Including Creator Commentary
Berkeley, CA - 7 February 2011
In anticipation of the third issue of ECHOES, a disturbing horror noir by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Rahsan Ekedal, Comic Book Resources and Robot 6 will be releasing one page per day of ECHOES #1 alongside fresh new creator commentary by Fialkov.This 5 issue miniseries published by Minotaur Press, an imprint of Top Cow, and Image Comics has been described by USA Today as having, "honest-to-goodness creepiness" at its heart.
Jonah Weiland of Comic Book Resources stated, "I'm very pleased Top Cow has allowed CBR & ROBOT 6 this opportunity to serialize the first issue of ECHOES online. ECHOES is an engaging and creepy story, the kind that sticks in your head well after you've read it. It's an example of the incredible creativity that exists in the comics medium that deserves greater exposure and we're happy to do our part."
Fialkov also looks forward to this opportunity to provide some of the real behind the scenes story of ECHOES to the fans. He added, "As a comics creator working outside the mainstream, I've had to fight for every reader. Getting a chance to show off all of that hard work to the huge audience of CBR is thrilling beyond words. It's a sign of support that every creator dreams of."
Monday, February 7th, 2011, readers not only get an opportunity to enjoy ECHOES #1 for free, but will also get an opportunity to go behind the scenes each day with Fialkov at http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/echoescomic/ to explore the team's creative process, including behind the scene details, alongside each of Ekedal's expertly illustrated grayscale pages.
ECHOES #3 (DEC100530), a 32-page black and white horror comic for $3.99 will be in stores on February 23, 2011. Both Echoes #1 2nd Printing and Echoes #2 are both available for immediate reorder. For more information, visit http://www.echoesthecomic.com or follow on Twitter @echoescomic.
ABOUT COMIC BOOK RESOURCES
Comic Book Resources (http://www.comicbookresources.com), online since 1996 and located in Los Angeles, CA, is the leading comic book destination site, with daily news, commentary by industry professionals and the most active comics community online. Comic Book Resources is visited by over 4 million visitors (Google Analytics) every month.
ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS INC.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.
Top Cow and CBR Present Echoes Daily, Including Creator Commentary
Berkeley, CA - 7 February 2011
In anticipation of the third issue of ECHOES, a disturbing horror noir by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Rahsan Ekedal, Comic Book Resources and Robot 6 will be releasing one page per day of ECHOES #1 alongside fresh new creator commentary by Fialkov.This 5 issue miniseries published by Minotaur Press, an imprint of Top Cow, and Image Comics has been described by USA Today as having, "honest-to-goodness creepiness" at its heart.
Jonah Weiland of Comic Book Resources stated, "I'm very pleased Top Cow has allowed CBR & ROBOT 6 this opportunity to serialize the first issue of ECHOES online. ECHOES is an engaging and creepy story, the kind that sticks in your head well after you've read it. It's an example of the incredible creativity that exists in the comics medium that deserves greater exposure and we're happy to do our part."
Fialkov also looks forward to this opportunity to provide some of the real behind the scenes story of ECHOES to the fans. He added, "As a comics creator working outside the mainstream, I've had to fight for every reader. Getting a chance to show off all of that hard work to the huge audience of CBR is thrilling beyond words. It's a sign of support that every creator dreams of."
Monday, February 7th, 2011, readers not only get an opportunity to enjoy ECHOES #1 for free, but will also get an opportunity to go behind the scenes each day with Fialkov at http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/echoescomic/ to explore the team's creative process, including behind the scene details, alongside each of Ekedal's expertly illustrated grayscale pages.
ECHOES #3 (DEC100530), a 32-page black and white horror comic for $3.99 will be in stores on February 23, 2011. Both Echoes #1 2nd Printing and Echoes #2 are both available for immediate reorder. For more information, visit http://www.echoesthecomic.com or follow on Twitter @echoescomic.
ABOUT COMIC BOOK RESOURCES
Comic Book Resources (http://www.comicbookresources.com), online since 1996 and located in Los Angeles, CA, is the leading comic book destination site, with daily news, commentary by industry professionals and the most active comics community online. Comic Book Resources is visited by over 4 million visitors (Google Analytics) every month.
ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS INC.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.
MEMOIR #1
GETS SECOND PRINTING
It's No Mystery Why This Creepy New Title Sold Out
Berkeley, CA - February 7, 2011 -
After introducing horror hits like THE WALKING DEAD and HACK/SLASH, it should be no surprise that Image Comics has provided yet another frightening new must-read series, but here it is: MEMOIR #1 has sold out! A second printing of Ben McCool and Nikki Cook's creepy new six issue miniseries about the disturbing secrets of a small town that has suffered a mass amnesia will be back in stores again in March.
Writer Ben McCool (co-creator of CHOKER with Ben Templesmith) said, "I'm absolutely delighted with the book's response, and I want to thank everybody who's supported us. I am truly humbled. And fear not, horror fans: there's plenty more creepiness to come!"
"The fans have made it clear that they love it when we scare them," added up and coming artist Nikki Cook, "Well, we appreciate that, and we'll do everything we can to continue creeping you out!"
MEMOIR #1 introduced fans to the deeply damaged town of Lowesville through the eyes of an ambitious, cocky young reporter named Trent MacGowan. The first issue wraps up with a startling reveal that will raise many questions about the events and characters in this small town, and McCool and Cook promise readers more chills as this story of loss continues to unfold.
MEMOIR #2 (DEC100483), a 32-page black and white horror mystery comic book for $3.50, will be in stores on February 16, 2011. MEMOIR #1 Second Printing (DEC108198) will be available again in stores on March 2, 2011.
GETS SECOND PRINTINGIt's No Mystery Why This Creepy New Title Sold Out
Berkeley, CA - February 7, 2011 -
After introducing horror hits like THE WALKING DEAD and HACK/SLASH, it should be no surprise that Image Comics has provided yet another frightening new must-read series, but here it is: MEMOIR #1 has sold out! A second printing of Ben McCool and Nikki Cook's creepy new six issue miniseries about the disturbing secrets of a small town that has suffered a mass amnesia will be back in stores again in March.
Writer Ben McCool (co-creator of CHOKER with Ben Templesmith) said, "I'm absolutely delighted with the book's response, and I want to thank everybody who's supported us. I am truly humbled. And fear not, horror fans: there's plenty more creepiness to come!"
"The fans have made it clear that they love it when we scare them," added up and coming artist Nikki Cook, "Well, we appreciate that, and we'll do everything we can to continue creeping you out!"
MEMOIR #1 introduced fans to the deeply damaged town of Lowesville through the eyes of an ambitious, cocky young reporter named Trent MacGowan. The first issue wraps up with a startling reveal that will raise many questions about the events and characters in this small town, and McCool and Cook promise readers more chills as this story of loss continues to unfold.
MEMOIR #2 (DEC100483), a 32-page black and white horror mystery comic book for $3.50, will be in stores on February 16, 2011. MEMOIR #1 Second Printing (DEC108198) will be available again in stores on March 2, 2011.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
MoCCA’s Spring Comics and Cartoon Classes Start February 28th!
NEW YORK (February 6, 2011) – The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA – is proud to announce the spring offerings from its Adult Education Department, organized and headed by Senior Vice-President of Education, Danny Fingeroth:
The classes:
OBSTACLE COURSE: MAKE COMICS USING CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS
with MATT MADDEN
and
MINICOMICS WORKSHOP
with ROBYN CHAPMAN
and
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
with DANNY FINGEROTH
and
OUTSIDE THE BOX: EXPANDING YOUR COMICS VISION
with PETER KUPER
and
MASTER CLASS SERIES with top comics and animation professionals:
• LARRY HAMA (March1)
• DAVID STEVEN COHEN (March 28)
• J.M. DeMATTEIS (May 17)
About the classes:
OBSTACLE COURSE: MAKE COMICS USING CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS
Instructor: MATT MADDEN
4 sessions
MONDAYS Feb 28; March 7, 14, 21
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition/$225 for MoCCA members
Do you think you could make a comic where each panel could only show an extreme close-up of a hand? Or where each panel zooms in closer to a single object? A comic that you can read in more than one direction? Many great works of art begin from these kinds of rules or constraints—and often willfully perverse ones. In the Obstacle Course, prominent cartoonist and teacher, MATT MADDEN, will challenge students with a series of such oddball rules and in wrestling with them you will find that they will take your work—as well as your ideas about creativity—n new directions.
We'll do a bunch of short assignments and then choose a constraint as the basis of a final comic. Along the way we'll discuss examples of creative constraint in film, literature, fine art, and music.
This class assumes you have a working knowledge of making comics and have at least a few pages of comics under your belt, whether published or not. Please bring copy paper, pencils, and pens (any kind) to the first class.
You can see examples of the kind of work we will be doing here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47953102@N04/sets/72157625288273661/
http://mattmadden.blogspot.com/2010/12/roygbiv-one-page-comic-challenge.html
http://mattmadden.blogspot.com/2010/12/tic-tac-toe-jam-new-jam-comic.html
http://www.tomhart.net/oubapo/
MATT MADDEN (NYC 1968) lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Jessica Abel, and their two children. He is a cartoonist who also teaches comics and drawing at the School of Visual Arts. His recent work includes 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style (Penguin), a collection of his comics adaptation of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style, a translation from the French of Aristophane's The Zabîme Sisters (First Second), and Drawing Words & Writing Pictures (First Second), a comics textbook written in collaboration with his wife. The couple is also series editors for The Best American Comics from Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt. You'll find recent news at www.mattmadden.com.
MINICOMICS WORKSHOP
Instructor: ROBYN CHAPMAN
4 sessions
TUESDAYS March 8, 15, 22, 29
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition/$225 for MoCCA members
***HAVE YOUR MINICOMIC READY FOR MoCCAFEST!*** [MoCCAfest is April 9th & 10th in NYC.]
Minicomics (self-published, hand-made comics) are a great way to get your work seen. In the Minicomics Workshop, cutting-edge cartoonist and editor ROBYN CHAPMAN will demystify the self-publishing process and give an overview of cartooning principals and materials. Topics such as page composition, layout, book craft, print technologies and computer applications will be covered. Students will be given the choice to workshop their own minicomic project, or participate in a class anthology. Cartoonists of all skill levels and experience are welcome.
Each session will offer a studio period devoted to student work. Homework will be assigned.
Independent Projects
Students who wish to workshop a minicomic project are encouraged to come to the first session with a project in mind. The instructor will work with students one-on-one to insure the projects are attainable and publishable. Independent projects will be brought to a dummy book or master sheet stage by the last day of class.
Group Anthology Project
Students may choose to participate in a class anthology. This is anthology will be titled Wish You Were Here, and it will consist of comic pages inspired by actual postcard correspondence. The anthology will be published on the last day of class.
Required Supplies and Expenses:
• $10 (minimum) copy budget for final production.
• A notebook (or sketchbook, or binder) for note taking. Pens or pencils for writing.
· Art supplies necessary to produce pages of black and white comics. (Feel free to use supplies you are most comfortable with. Options will be discussed in class.)
ROBYN CHAPMAN is an adjunct faculty member at The Center for Cartoon Studies, one of America’s premiere cartooning colleges. She specializes in the history, design, and production of minicomics and zines. As an editor, her self-published titles include Hey, 4-Eyes! and Make: Comics About an Intimate Act. Her solo titles include Sourpuss and Theater of the Meek (a Xeric Grant winner). Robyn’s comics have been featured in several anthologies and publications, including Scheherazade, Stuck in the Middle, and the NY Metro. In addition to MoCCA, she has taught cartooning at the 92nd Street Y and The New School.
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Instructor: DANNY FINGEROTH
4 sessions, MONDAYS May 2, 9, 16, 23
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition | $225 for MoCCA members
DANNY FINGEROTH will lead a hands-on workshop in writing comics and graphic novels, suitable for novices as well as experienced writers. Combining lectures, assignments in class and at home, and roundtable critiquing, the class will cover writing for all kinds of comics, including autobiographical, historical, “indy” and superheroes.
Note: Please come to the first session with three “springboards” (short ideas for stories). We will choose one to be your project for the course.
DANNY FINGEROTH was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. He's also written the books Superman on the Couch and Disguised as Clark Kent. His book, The Stan Lee Universe, co-edited with Roy Thomas, will be on sale in the summer of 2011. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
OUTSIDE THE BOX: EXPANDING YOUR COMICS VISION
Instructor: PETER KUPER
3 sessions: TUESDAYS May 3, 10, 24 [no class May 17]
6:30-9:00 pm
$185 tuition / $165 for MoCCA members
Join visionary comics artist PETER KUPER and explore the medium of sequential art and learn how to find outlets for publishing your own self-generated comics and illustration projects. There will be weekly assignments with in-class crit sessions along with visual presentations and demonstrations by the instructor that will expand your familiarity with the history and vast potential of sequential art. Students should have some experience creating comics and should bring one example of their comics work to the first class. [No art supplies will be necessary in class.]
PETER KUPER is the co-founder of World War 3 Illustrated and has remained on its editorial board for over 30 years. His illustrations and comics have appeared in Time, The New York Times and MAD, where he has written and illustrated SPY vs. SPY every month since 1997. He has produced over twenty books and graphic novels including The System, Sticks and Stones, Speechless and Stop Forgetting To Remember. Peter has also adapted Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and many of Franz Kafka's works into comics. His adaptation of The Metamorphosis has been translated around the world and is in high school and college curriculums nation-wide. He won the 2010 Society of Illustrators gold medal for sequential art and appears in 2010’s Best American Comics anthology. Peter lived in Oaxaca, Mexico from 2006-2008 during a major teachers’ strike and his work about that time can be seen in his latest book, Diario de Oaxaca. More of his work can be ound at www.peterkuper.com
MoCCA MASTER CLASS SERIES:
These extraordinarily accomplished creators each brings a distinct and strong point of view to the work they do. This is a rare opportunity to hear these top names in their respective fields speak about what makes for great work.
Individual sessions: $40 | $35 for MoCCA members
Pay for all three in advance: $100 | $90 for MoCCA members
MASTER CLASS: PRINCIPLES OF GRAPHIC STORYTELLNG FOR COMICS
Instructor: LARRY HAMA
Tuesday March 1
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
Explores the process of getting the narrative onto the page clearly in a self-evident sequence of pictures. Main visual points of reference will be “Wally Wood’s 22 Panels” and GI Joe: A Real American Hero #21, “Silent Interlude.” There will be a frame-by-frame deconstruction and analysis of “Silent Interlude,” an exploration of techniques, and a Q & A.
"Graphic Narrative/Comic Book Storytelling is much more than a series of pictures. With a career as writer, artist, and editor in every storytelling medium, there is none better qualified to provide both the novice and the professional with the successful basics and applications of both the art and the craft than Larry Hama.”—Michael Golden.
LARRY HAMA is a writer/cartoonist/illustrator/actor/musician who has worked in comics, TV, and film. He is best known as the writer of Marvel’s GI Joe comics in the ‘80s, and as the writer of Marvel’s Wolverine in the ‘90s. He is currently writing Barack the Barbarian for Devil’s Due Comics and GI Joe: Origins for IDW as well as various animation and video game projects.
He has written, edited or drawn for such comics titles as Avengers, Blaze, Nth Man, The Nam, Conan, Batman, Wonder Woman, Bizarre Adventures, X-Men, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and dozens more. His illustrations and cartoons have appeared in National Lampoon, Esquire, New York, Rolling Stone and various Children’s Television Workshop publications.
He has worked in TV development on mini-series for David L. Wolper (Project X), and in animation and Internet gaming for Curious Pictures (Out of Your Mind, Jacabee Code). He has written episodes of Robot Boy (TV animation) for Alphanim, interstitials for PBS Kids, and direct-to-DVD material for Flickerlab (Aaron & Emily). He created the Marvel Comic Mort the Dead Teenager that was optioned and developed by DreamWorks. (He co-wrote the screenplay with director John Payson.) He co-wrote “All Ages Night” a feature film about teens in a rock band, which will be seen on STARZ.
MASTER CLASS: ANIMATION WRITING: HOW TO WRITE SCRIPTS THAT WILL MAKE YOU A KEY MEMBER OF THE CREATIVE TEAM
Instructor: DAVID STEVEN COHEN
Monday March 28
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
Learn the skills and secrets to writing great animation. Inspire the rest of the creative team to be brilliant – and grateful to see your name on script after script!
Animation is collaboration by conveyor belt, and it starts with your script. Award-winning writer/executive producer DAVID STEVEN COHEN (Courage the Cowardly Dog, Arthur, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Steven Spielberg’s Balto) will show you techniques for crafting indelible characters, solid stories and great scripts that are more than blueprints – scripts that inspire the director, storyboard artist, editor and musical director. Cohen will demonstrate how you can maximize a show's basic concept (while avoiding common mistakes) and create a script that moves visually, rhythmically, emotionally, and comedically - one that communicates vividly without collapsing under the weight of words. Underscoring it all is flexible thinking and the collaborative process: the agony and ecstasy of sharing creative vision. Focus will be on writing character-driven animated comedy for television, with some forays into features.
DAVID STEVEN COHEN was the head writer on all four seasons of Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog and has written for many other series, including Arthur, Viva Piñata and ALF Tales, of which he was co-creator and executive producer. As executive producer of Nickelodeon's The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, David was nominated for two Emmys and won a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Children's Script. He co-wrote the animated feature Balto and has also written many songs for animation, collaborating recently with Jody Gray on the song-score for Clifford's Really Big Movie. David's live-action work includes Phil of the Future, Living Single, Strangers with Candy, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, ALF and Pee-wee's Playhouse. First introduced to opera by a certain Oscar-winning rabbit, David wrote the libretto for the opera Lilith, which premiered at Lincoln Center in 2001.
MASTER CLASS: OH, THE HUMANITY: WRITING SUCCESSFULLY ACROSS GENRES AND MEDIA
Instructor: J.M. DeMATTEIS
Tuesday May 17
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
While it's not unusual to see comics writers also work on animation or prose in similar genres to their comics work, relatively few work in different genres and media at the same time. J.M. DeMATTEIS is one of the handful of authors who have worked simultaneously and successfully on popular corporate franchise characters, surreal tales of fantasy, hilariously funny satire, and intensely personal dramatic material, in comics, and also in animation, novels (the non-graphic kind), and screenplays. In this rare teaching appearance, DeMatteis (with kibitzing and inappropriate comments by his longtime editor, DANNY FINGEROTH), explains what stories in all genres and media have in common: universal human characters and situations (also known as “heart”), and how you can use that fact to be more than a “one-trick-pony” writer.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, J. M. DeMATTEIS was a professional musician and rock music journalist before entering the comic book field. Although he's written almost all of the major DC and Marvel icons—including memorable runs on Spider-Man and Justice League—DeMatteis's greatest acclaim has come for his more personal work. The autobiographical Brooklyn Dreams was picked by the American Library Association as one of the Ten Best Graphic Novels, and Booklist, in a starred review, called it “as graphically distinguished and creatively novelistic a graphic novel as has ever been...a classic of the form.” It was also selected as one of the Top Ten Graphic Novels in Danny Fingeroth's Rough Guide to Graphic Novels. The groundbreaking Moonshadow was chosen (along with Brooklyn Dreams, the children's fantasy, Abadazad, and other DeMatteis works) for inclusion in Gene Kannenberg, Jr's 2008 book 500 Essential Graphic Novels, where it was hailed as one of the finest examples of the fantasy genre in comics. DeMatteis's latest projects include the fantasy novel Imaginalis, published in July 2010 by HarperCollins, and a variety of television and comic book projects. DeMatteis and his family live in upstate New York.
Unless otherwise indicated, all classes will be held at:
MoCCA
594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets)
Suite 401
New York, NY 10012
For more information and to register, call 212-254-3511 or go to www.moccany.org.
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art - MoCCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $5 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 12 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum's Website (www.moccany.org).
NEW YORK (February 6, 2011) – The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA – is proud to announce the spring offerings from its Adult Education Department, organized and headed by Senior Vice-President of Education, Danny Fingeroth:
The classes:
OBSTACLE COURSE: MAKE COMICS USING CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS
with MATT MADDEN
and
MINICOMICS WORKSHOP
with ROBYN CHAPMAN
and
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
with DANNY FINGEROTH
and
OUTSIDE THE BOX: EXPANDING YOUR COMICS VISION
with PETER KUPER
and
MASTER CLASS SERIES with top comics and animation professionals:
• LARRY HAMA (March1)
• DAVID STEVEN COHEN (March 28)
• J.M. DeMATTEIS (May 17)
About the classes:
OBSTACLE COURSE: MAKE COMICS USING CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS
Instructor: MATT MADDEN
4 sessions
MONDAYS Feb 28; March 7, 14, 21
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition/$225 for MoCCA members
Do you think you could make a comic where each panel could only show an extreme close-up of a hand? Or where each panel zooms in closer to a single object? A comic that you can read in more than one direction? Many great works of art begin from these kinds of rules or constraints—and often willfully perverse ones. In the Obstacle Course, prominent cartoonist and teacher, MATT MADDEN, will challenge students with a series of such oddball rules and in wrestling with them you will find that they will take your work—as well as your ideas about creativity—n new directions.
We'll do a bunch of short assignments and then choose a constraint as the basis of a final comic. Along the way we'll discuss examples of creative constraint in film, literature, fine art, and music.
This class assumes you have a working knowledge of making comics and have at least a few pages of comics under your belt, whether published or not. Please bring copy paper, pencils, and pens (any kind) to the first class.
You can see examples of the kind of work we will be doing here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47953102@N04/sets/72157625288273661/
http://mattmadden.blogspot.com/2010/12/roygbiv-one-page-comic-challenge.html
http://mattmadden.blogspot.com/2010/12/tic-tac-toe-jam-new-jam-comic.html
http://www.tomhart.net/oubapo/
MATT MADDEN (NYC 1968) lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Jessica Abel, and their two children. He is a cartoonist who also teaches comics and drawing at the School of Visual Arts. His recent work includes 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style (Penguin), a collection of his comics adaptation of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style, a translation from the French of Aristophane's The Zabîme Sisters (First Second), and Drawing Words & Writing Pictures (First Second), a comics textbook written in collaboration with his wife. The couple is also series editors for The Best American Comics from Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt. You'll find recent news at www.mattmadden.com.
MINICOMICS WORKSHOP
Instructor: ROBYN CHAPMAN
4 sessions
TUESDAYS March 8, 15, 22, 29
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition/$225 for MoCCA members
***HAVE YOUR MINICOMIC READY FOR MoCCAFEST!*** [MoCCAfest is April 9th & 10th in NYC.]
Minicomics (self-published, hand-made comics) are a great way to get your work seen. In the Minicomics Workshop, cutting-edge cartoonist and editor ROBYN CHAPMAN will demystify the self-publishing process and give an overview of cartooning principals and materials. Topics such as page composition, layout, book craft, print technologies and computer applications will be covered. Students will be given the choice to workshop their own minicomic project, or participate in a class anthology. Cartoonists of all skill levels and experience are welcome.
Each session will offer a studio period devoted to student work. Homework will be assigned.
Independent Projects
Students who wish to workshop a minicomic project are encouraged to come to the first session with a project in mind. The instructor will work with students one-on-one to insure the projects are attainable and publishable. Independent projects will be brought to a dummy book or master sheet stage by the last day of class.
Group Anthology Project
Students may choose to participate in a class anthology. This is anthology will be titled Wish You Were Here, and it will consist of comic pages inspired by actual postcard correspondence. The anthology will be published on the last day of class.
Required Supplies and Expenses:
• $10 (minimum) copy budget for final production.
• A notebook (or sketchbook, or binder) for note taking. Pens or pencils for writing.
· Art supplies necessary to produce pages of black and white comics. (Feel free to use supplies you are most comfortable with. Options will be discussed in class.)
ROBYN CHAPMAN is an adjunct faculty member at The Center for Cartoon Studies, one of America’s premiere cartooning colleges. She specializes in the history, design, and production of minicomics and zines. As an editor, her self-published titles include Hey, 4-Eyes! and Make: Comics About an Intimate Act. Her solo titles include Sourpuss and Theater of the Meek (a Xeric Grant winner). Robyn’s comics have been featured in several anthologies and publications, including Scheherazade, Stuck in the Middle, and the NY Metro. In addition to MoCCA, she has taught cartooning at the 92nd Street Y and The New School.
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Instructor: DANNY FINGEROTH
4 sessions, MONDAYS May 2, 9, 16, 23
6:30-9:00 pm
$245 tuition | $225 for MoCCA members
DANNY FINGEROTH will lead a hands-on workshop in writing comics and graphic novels, suitable for novices as well as experienced writers. Combining lectures, assignments in class and at home, and roundtable critiquing, the class will cover writing for all kinds of comics, including autobiographical, historical, “indy” and superheroes.
Note: Please come to the first session with three “springboards” (short ideas for stories). We will choose one to be your project for the course.
DANNY FINGEROTH was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. He's also written the books Superman on the Couch and Disguised as Clark Kent. His book, The Stan Lee Universe, co-edited with Roy Thomas, will be on sale in the summer of 2011. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
OUTSIDE THE BOX: EXPANDING YOUR COMICS VISION
Instructor: PETER KUPER
3 sessions: TUESDAYS May 3, 10, 24 [no class May 17]
6:30-9:00 pm
$185 tuition / $165 for MoCCA members
Join visionary comics artist PETER KUPER and explore the medium of sequential art and learn how to find outlets for publishing your own self-generated comics and illustration projects. There will be weekly assignments with in-class crit sessions along with visual presentations and demonstrations by the instructor that will expand your familiarity with the history and vast potential of sequential art. Students should have some experience creating comics and should bring one example of their comics work to the first class. [No art supplies will be necessary in class.]
PETER KUPER is the co-founder of World War 3 Illustrated and has remained on its editorial board for over 30 years. His illustrations and comics have appeared in Time, The New York Times and MAD, where he has written and illustrated SPY vs. SPY every month since 1997. He has produced over twenty books and graphic novels including The System, Sticks and Stones, Speechless and Stop Forgetting To Remember. Peter has also adapted Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and many of Franz Kafka's works into comics. His adaptation of The Metamorphosis has been translated around the world and is in high school and college curriculums nation-wide. He won the 2010 Society of Illustrators gold medal for sequential art and appears in 2010’s Best American Comics anthology. Peter lived in Oaxaca, Mexico from 2006-2008 during a major teachers’ strike and his work about that time can be seen in his latest book, Diario de Oaxaca. More of his work can be ound at www.peterkuper.com
MoCCA MASTER CLASS SERIES:
These extraordinarily accomplished creators each brings a distinct and strong point of view to the work they do. This is a rare opportunity to hear these top names in their respective fields speak about what makes for great work.
Individual sessions: $40 | $35 for MoCCA members
Pay for all three in advance: $100 | $90 for MoCCA members
MASTER CLASS: PRINCIPLES OF GRAPHIC STORYTELLNG FOR COMICS
Instructor: LARRY HAMA
Tuesday March 1
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
Explores the process of getting the narrative onto the page clearly in a self-evident sequence of pictures. Main visual points of reference will be “Wally Wood’s 22 Panels” and GI Joe: A Real American Hero #21, “Silent Interlude.” There will be a frame-by-frame deconstruction and analysis of “Silent Interlude,” an exploration of techniques, and a Q & A.
"Graphic Narrative/Comic Book Storytelling is much more than a series of pictures. With a career as writer, artist, and editor in every storytelling medium, there is none better qualified to provide both the novice and the professional with the successful basics and applications of both the art and the craft than Larry Hama.”—Michael Golden.
LARRY HAMA is a writer/cartoonist/illustrator/actor/musician who has worked in comics, TV, and film. He is best known as the writer of Marvel’s GI Joe comics in the ‘80s, and as the writer of Marvel’s Wolverine in the ‘90s. He is currently writing Barack the Barbarian for Devil’s Due Comics and GI Joe: Origins for IDW as well as various animation and video game projects.
He has written, edited or drawn for such comics titles as Avengers, Blaze, Nth Man, The Nam, Conan, Batman, Wonder Woman, Bizarre Adventures, X-Men, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and dozens more. His illustrations and cartoons have appeared in National Lampoon, Esquire, New York, Rolling Stone and various Children’s Television Workshop publications.
He has worked in TV development on mini-series for David L. Wolper (Project X), and in animation and Internet gaming for Curious Pictures (Out of Your Mind, Jacabee Code). He has written episodes of Robot Boy (TV animation) for Alphanim, interstitials for PBS Kids, and direct-to-DVD material for Flickerlab (Aaron & Emily). He created the Marvel Comic Mort the Dead Teenager that was optioned and developed by DreamWorks. (He co-wrote the screenplay with director John Payson.) He co-wrote “All Ages Night” a feature film about teens in a rock band, which will be seen on STARZ.
MASTER CLASS: ANIMATION WRITING: HOW TO WRITE SCRIPTS THAT WILL MAKE YOU A KEY MEMBER OF THE CREATIVE TEAM
Instructor: DAVID STEVEN COHEN
Monday March 28
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
Learn the skills and secrets to writing great animation. Inspire the rest of the creative team to be brilliant – and grateful to see your name on script after script!
Animation is collaboration by conveyor belt, and it starts with your script. Award-winning writer/executive producer DAVID STEVEN COHEN (Courage the Cowardly Dog, Arthur, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Steven Spielberg’s Balto) will show you techniques for crafting indelible characters, solid stories and great scripts that are more than blueprints – scripts that inspire the director, storyboard artist, editor and musical director. Cohen will demonstrate how you can maximize a show's basic concept (while avoiding common mistakes) and create a script that moves visually, rhythmically, emotionally, and comedically - one that communicates vividly without collapsing under the weight of words. Underscoring it all is flexible thinking and the collaborative process: the agony and ecstasy of sharing creative vision. Focus will be on writing character-driven animated comedy for television, with some forays into features.
DAVID STEVEN COHEN was the head writer on all four seasons of Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog and has written for many other series, including Arthur, Viva Piñata and ALF Tales, of which he was co-creator and executive producer. As executive producer of Nickelodeon's The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, David was nominated for two Emmys and won a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Children's Script. He co-wrote the animated feature Balto and has also written many songs for animation, collaborating recently with Jody Gray on the song-score for Clifford's Really Big Movie. David's live-action work includes Phil of the Future, Living Single, Strangers with Candy, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, ALF and Pee-wee's Playhouse. First introduced to opera by a certain Oscar-winning rabbit, David wrote the libretto for the opera Lilith, which premiered at Lincoln Center in 2001.
MASTER CLASS: OH, THE HUMANITY: WRITING SUCCESSFULLY ACROSS GENRES AND MEDIA
Instructor: J.M. DeMATTEIS
Tuesday May 17
7:00-9:00 PM
Admission $40 | $35 for MoCCA Members
While it's not unusual to see comics writers also work on animation or prose in similar genres to their comics work, relatively few work in different genres and media at the same time. J.M. DeMATTEIS is one of the handful of authors who have worked simultaneously and successfully on popular corporate franchise characters, surreal tales of fantasy, hilariously funny satire, and intensely personal dramatic material, in comics, and also in animation, novels (the non-graphic kind), and screenplays. In this rare teaching appearance, DeMatteis (with kibitzing and inappropriate comments by his longtime editor, DANNY FINGEROTH), explains what stories in all genres and media have in common: universal human characters and situations (also known as “heart”), and how you can use that fact to be more than a “one-trick-pony” writer.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, J. M. DeMATTEIS was a professional musician and rock music journalist before entering the comic book field. Although he's written almost all of the major DC and Marvel icons—including memorable runs on Spider-Man and Justice League—DeMatteis's greatest acclaim has come for his more personal work. The autobiographical Brooklyn Dreams was picked by the American Library Association as one of the Ten Best Graphic Novels, and Booklist, in a starred review, called it “as graphically distinguished and creatively novelistic a graphic novel as has ever been...a classic of the form.” It was also selected as one of the Top Ten Graphic Novels in Danny Fingeroth's Rough Guide to Graphic Novels. The groundbreaking Moonshadow was chosen (along with Brooklyn Dreams, the children's fantasy, Abadazad, and other DeMatteis works) for inclusion in Gene Kannenberg, Jr's 2008 book 500 Essential Graphic Novels, where it was hailed as one of the finest examples of the fantasy genre in comics. DeMatteis's latest projects include the fantasy novel Imaginalis, published in July 2010 by HarperCollins, and a variety of television and comic book projects. DeMatteis and his family live in upstate New York.
Unless otherwise indicated, all classes will be held at:
MoCCA
594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets)
Suite 401
New York, NY 10012
For more information and to register, call 212-254-3511 or go to www.moccany.org.
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art - MoCCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $5 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 12 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum's Website (www.moccany.org).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
