Criminals Fight or Die in Ed Brisson and Damian Couceiro's Original Series 'Cluster'

Cluster #1 Main Cover by James Stokoe


Cluster #1 Chase Cover (1:99) by Simon Roy


Cluster #1 Retailer Incentive Cover by Declan Shalvey


Cluster #1 10K Cover by Brandon Graham - Unlocks if orders surpass 10,000 copies

 

January 5, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - What would you sacrifice for freedom? This February, characters in BOOM! Studios’ new series Cluster are asked just that—and don’t have much of a choice.

 

Created by the team behind the latest run on BOOM!’s Sons of Anarchy comic series, writer Ed Brisson (The Field, Sheltered) and artist Damian Couceiro (Planet of the Apes) tell a story set in a distant future where humans have discovered life on other planets. Faced with a shortage of manpower, and in order to protect their colonies across the galaxy from other species, Earth’s government has resorted to offering prisoners a chance to shorten their long sentences in exchange for serving as an interstellar soldier. More and more soldiers are needed as wars continue, so small crimes are met with long-term punishments. But when a group of prisoners-turned-soldiers are marooned on enemy soil, they’ll need to work together to survive and uncover the truth behind Earth’s role in deep space.

 

“It feels great to finally be able to share Cluster with the comic book industry,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “This is a series we’ve been working on for a while and we’ve just been champing at the bit to see it on ‘stands. Pairing Ed with Damian is a perfect creative match. We’ve seen the type of crime-infused stories they’re capable of on the Sons of Anarchy comic book. Now we get to see them take that sensibility off world for a truly hard-hitting sci-fi series!”

Cluster #1 arrives in comic shops on February 4th with a main cover by James Stokoe (Wonton Soup, Orc Stain) and a 1-in-99 “Jackpot” variant cover by Simon Roy (Prophet) for the price of $3.99 under Diamond order code DEC141166. Also available are a 10 Years Anniversary incentive cover by Trevor Hairsine (Divinity, Ultimate Six), and a retailer incentive cover by Declan Shalvey (Moon Knight)
In addition, as part of BOOM!’s ongoing 10 Years celebration in 2015, if orders for Cluster #1 surpass 10,000 copies when retailers’ Final Order Cutoff (FOC) closes, a special 10K variant cover by Brandon Graham (Prophet) will be unlocked and shipped with the main covers in a 90/10 split.
The FOC deadline for retailers is Monday, January 12th. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints. The original Studios imprint is home to Mike Carey's Suicide Risk; James Tynion IV's The Woods; Mark Waid's Irredeemable; Sons of Anarchy; and Big Trouble in Little China. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 Guns was released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven Universe; Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid; and Natasha Allegri's Bee and PuppyCat. BOOM!'s experimental imprint BOOM! Box publishes The Midas Flesh and Lumberjanes. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, Gunnerkrigg Court, Rust, and Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films. In August 2014, BOOM! Studios began a similar first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox TV to develop properties for the small screen.

Stand by for adventure with a special Nemo Publishing action figure sale:  Celebrates the release of the new Black Bat figure

PORTLAND, MAINE (January 5th, 2015) –   Six years ago, Nemo Publishing released its first limited edition Mego-style action figure of the retro hero Commander X.  Today, the Nemo collection has grown to include 14 action figures, including the new Black Bat and the exciting new Sea Ghost figure which will ship in January. 

In celebration of this popular action figure series and the release of the new Black Bat, Nemo Publishing announces a special online sale exclusively at www.captneli.com.  From now through Friday, February 16, all action figures (except for Sea Ghost) will be available at a special price of $15.00 (regular price $19.95).  These eight-inch collectible “maker” action figures are created in a retro-style reminiscent of those made by the Mego Corporation in the 1970s. Creator Jay Piscopo worked with Paul Clarke, known as “Dr. Mego,” to create this collection. The Black Bat action figure is a reworking of the classic 1939 hero and was designed by Jay Piscopo and assembled with the help of Paul Clarke.

Piscopo is the author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli” graphic novel series and has created numerous titles featuring spin off characters from this book including “The Sea Ghost” and “Commander X All-Star Special.” “I'm huge fan of the Black Bat,” said Piscopo.  “He is an interesting character and has a fascinating place in pop culture history with Batman and Daredevil.  It's exciting to have him included on the Nemo Toys roster.  His look translates into the new Mego style extremely well. I’m looking forward to offering more pulp and golden age characters like him in the future.”

A video clip featuring the Commander X action figure collection can be viewed at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyIxl_SBaS8.

The Legend of the Black Bat:  When District Attorney Tony Quinn was blinded with acid by criminals, he thought his days of fighting crime were over.  After a successful operation to restore his sight, Tony retains his heightened senses and gains the ability to see in the dark.  He continues as a District Attorney while maintaining the ruse that he is still blind and adopts the identity of “The Black Bat” to punish criminals who have escaped justice.

​The Legend Makes History Yet Again When THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS

Premieres on Netflix Jan. 16

Boots Will be Donned and Buckles Will be Swashed as Puss in Boots Protects the Mystical, Adventure-Laden City of San Lorenzo in
an All-New Netflix Original Series from DreamWorks Animation

​​

GLENDALE and BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2015) – His name is legendary, his adventures and swordsmanship are renowned – just don’t distract him with a ball of yarn.

He is Puss in Boots, and this January, he embarks on incredible new adventures in his unforgettably singular style in DreamWorks Animation’s THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS, an all-new Netflix original TV series.  The first five 22-minute episodes will be available to Netflix members in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France to watch instantly beginning Friday, Jan. 16.

THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS finds the world’s most famous feline fortune-hunter in the hidden city of San Lorenzo, a mythical land that is invisible to the outside world thanks to a magical spell that protects its quirky inhabitants – not to mention its wondrous treasure.  When Puss in Boots accidentally breaks the spell, he must do more than fight off an endless legion of invaders and marauders … he must become a legend.

With a sweeping, epic visual flair and extraordinary quests in each episode, THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS combines adventure and comedy with the quick-witted, nimble-footed style that is as synonymous with its hero as his namesake boots.

Its voice cast is led by Eric Bauza (The Book of Life, Turbo FAST) as Puss in Boots, along with Jayma Mays (Glee, Getting On), Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live, Doc McStuffins) and Joshua Rush (Mr. Peabody & Sherman).  Throughout the series’ first season, recurring and guest-starring voices will include Emmy® Award-winning actor John Leguizamo (Chef, Ice Age), Danny Trejo (Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn), Maria Bamford (The Legend of Korra, Adventure Time), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), Robbie Rist (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Brady Bunch) and Jim Cummings (Shrek, Winnie the Pooh).

“Action, comedy, adventure and heart combine with a dazzling visual style to make The Adventures of Puss in Boots both unique and timeless,” said Margie Cohn, head of television for DreamWorks Animation. “Puss is a hero for the ages.  With a cold glass of leche in one hand and his sword in the other, there’s nothing that could get in the way of this swashbuckling hero … except hairballs.”

Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix, added, “Each episode is an exciting fantasy-adventure, which makes watching The Adventures of Puss in Boots an event the whole family will enjoy.”

In addition to the five episodes of THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS that premiere on Jan. 16, new episodes will debut throughout the coming year. THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS IN BOOTS is the latest in a rapidly expanding list of original series that DreamWorks Animation is creating for Netflix.  The DreamWorks Animation lineup on Netflix also includes Turbo FAST and All Hail King Julien and soon will grow to encompass a brand-new season of DreamWorks Dragons and the adventure-laden DinoTrux.​

Wizard World Portland Comic Con Attendees To Receive 'The Walking Dead #1' Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Cover By Steve Lieber, January 23-25

Eisner Award Winner To Draw Second Cover In 2015 Series Available At Oregon Convention Center For Full-Price Attendees; VIP Fans Get Additional B&W Sketch Cover At Registration

PORTLAND, Ore., January 5, 2014 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, today announced that Eisner Award winning artist Steve Lieber will draw the second in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of The Walking Dead #1 comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 23-25. Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans at the Oregon Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.

Lieber, whose publishers include DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, Scholastic and many others, The Portland resident has worked on characters like Batman, Superman, Hellboy and Road to Perdition, but he’s best known as the artist of the graphic novel Whiteout and its Eisner-winning sequel, Whiteout: Melt, which were adapted by Warner Brothers as a movie starring Kate Beckinsale. He recently completed two Alabaster graphic novels at Dark Horse, and is currently illustrating Superior Foes of Spider-Man for Marvel.

“Having a local artist like Steve Lieber draw this excellent cover is a nice bonus for Wizard World Portland Comic Con fans,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO and President. “His success as an Eisner Award winner shows in this design.”

The artists for future books will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans. The full schedule of 2015 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

Stars of “The Walking Dead” TV series scheduled to attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con include Steven Yeun, Sarah Wayne Callies, Michael Cudlitz, Josh McDermitt, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal. Other top celebrities on hand include Stephen Amell (“Arrow”), Evan Peters (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”), Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness, Dredd), Ming-Na Wen (“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan® and many others.

In addition to Lieber, Artist Alley at Portland Comic Con will feature Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Julian Totino Tedesco (“X-Treme X-Men,” “X-Force”), Chris Claremont (“Spider-Man,” “The Avengers”), Dean Haspiel (“Bored to Death,” “Billy Dogma”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Justice League”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) and more.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, January 23, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://wizd.me/PortlandPR.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International.

Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work.

That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series.

Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.

About Skybound Entertainment

Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015.

Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve as creator and executive producer of the series.

Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs.

Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible, all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.

Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures.

For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.

About Wizard World

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).

Wizard World 2015 schedule available at: http://wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

HOWTOONS [RE] IGNITION FIRES UP CHILDREN’S IMAGINATIONS

Graphic novel teaches STEAM skills
through story

HOWTOONS, the comic that taps into kids’ imagination and curiosity with DIY science projects, is back with HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION. In this February graphic novel from Image Comics, Celine and Tucker are siblings who wake up in the far future, where energy is scarce and their parents are missing! They explore a strange new Earth using their gadgeteering skills to create projects and experiments to survive hostile tribes and bizarre mechanized threats — projects and experiments kids and parents can make themselves at home, and learn basic energy literacy at the same time! Created by MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow Dr. Saul Griffith and Eisner-Award-nominated comic book artist Nick Dragotta, HOWTOONS celebrated its 10th anniversary with TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION in July 2014. RE [IGNITION] uses the HOWTOONS model — incorporating fun science projects into stories — in a post-apocalyptic adventure story written by Fred Van Lente (Action Philosophers, Archer and Armstrong) with art by Tom Fowler (Quantum and Woody) and Eisner-winning colorist Jordie Bellaire. “I love making things, making comics. So it’s cool to be able to share that with kids and show them all these different disciplines,” said Dragotta in an interview at Multiversity Comics. “Hopefully we can provide an entertaining story first, that will motivate them to build the projects in the book. Maybe learn something through play.” In HOWTOONS there is something to interest every kid who picks it up, Dragotta explained, whether they’re into art, stories, design, or engineering. “If the book serves as any kind of primer to opening a reader up to something new, I’m all for it,” he said. Van Lente praised his artistic collaborators in the same interview. “Tom has such great dynamism and expressiveness to his figures,” he said. “he’s really perfect to work on a kids-oriented project that needs to be full of energy — no pun intended — and he and Jordie have done so many projects together they’re kind of mind-melded. It’s mildly frightening.” Melding science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), HOWTOONS: RE [IGNITION], is perfect for kids from ages 8 to 12 and a must-have graphic novel for every classroom. It will be in comic book stores on February 25 and in bookstores on March 10. Specially priced at $9.99, HOWTOONS: [RE]: IGNITION  is available for pre-order now.

HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION, Volume 1 by Fred Van Lente, Tom Fowler, and Jordie Bellaire ISBN 978-1-63215-056-1 Diamond Comic order code DEC140668 160 pages, paperback, color $9.99 Collects HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION #1-5 In comic book stores February 25, bookstores March 10

Praise for HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION: “...you’ll definitely want to introduce [HOWTOONS] to the young people in your life. It’s got enough imagination and action to carry itself, but the projects are the irresistible cherry on top. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll help sneak more physical comic books into the hands, hearts, and minds of kids again.” -Vince Ostrowski, Multiversity Comics “The rare unicorn on today's comic rack, Howtoons [Re]Ignition #1 is completely all-ages and truly delivers on every level, entertaining readers with a fun, loose story punctuated by how-to projects.” -Doug Zawisza, Comic Book Resources “The mission of Howtoons: [Re]ignition is to educate and engage kids in the science knowledge necessary for them to function within and positively impact the world they will inherit. It does a fabulous job.” -Andrea Sefler, Pop Mythology “If you have young children of your own, or are just a kid at heart, go out and pick up a copy of this very different, very ingenious, very awesome comic book.” -Outright Geekery Praise for HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION: “Nick Dragotta’s cartooning is every bit as imaginative as the projects offered, bringing a larger-than-life comic-book sensibility and sense of adventure to these wisecracking siblings’ investigations and tinkering. Packed with ideas and creative fodder for DIY-minded kids. All ages.” -Publishers Weekly “The comics in Howtoons focus on safety, recycling, and, most important, fun. The bright, somewhat chaotic artwork is designed to capture a kid’s attention and imagination. The projects are not laid out in a staid, step-by-step manner, and several of them will require extra thought or adult assistance, but the variety is hard to beat, as the creators cover art, math, engineering, science, and more…. This is a great addition to STEM collections, maker spaces, and elementary- through middle-school graphic-novel collections.” -Booklist “From the Rola Bola Balance Board to Shake Ice Cream, so many of the projects are so well placed at the intersection of interesting + cheap-and-easy materials + happily challenging.” -Michelle Hbulinka, Make: Magazine “I hope this book finds its way into every household and classroom, because this is the sort of handbook that could kickstart a young scientific mind and launch kids to bigger and better creations.” -Glen Dallas, San Francisco Book Review

Preview

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

MELISSA MCBRIDE, DANAI GURIRA & DAVID MORRISSEY RETURN TO
WALKER STALKER CON CHICAGO THIS FEBRUARY

Chicago, IL – In addition to the 19 guests previously announced,
Walker Stalker Con has announced that Melissa McBride, Danai
Gurira, and David Morrissey, will be attending the convention,
located at the Navy Pier, downtown in Chicago, IL on February 21
& 22, 2015.

Walker Stalker Con returned to it’s inaugural city of Atlanta in
October of 2014 where it’s guest count reached nearly 35,000
attendees across it’s three day span. It also assembled more cast
members of The Walking Dead than any other convention has, as
well as other horror genre actors.

Walker Stalker Con is not just a convention. It is a fan meet-up
and an opportunity for each guest to come away feeling like
they’ve had an amazing experience and became part of a greater
community of zombie lovers! Walker Stalker Con is two days of
events, panels, and experiences that zombie fans won’t find
anywhere else!

Confirmed guests for the convention include (with more to be
announced):

Chandler Riggs / Steven Yeun / Manu Bennett / Emily Kinney
IronE Singleton / Michael Cudlitz / Christian Serratos
Josh McDermitt / Alanna Masterson / Lawrence Gilliard Jr
Jeff Kober / Chad Coleman Sonequa Martin-Green
Jose Pablo Cantillo / Travis Love / RJ Mitte
Giancarlo Esposito Jeryl Prescott / Daniel Thomas May

The full event schedule can be found at http://walkerstalkercon.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c419cc2ced13e931f32be4e38&id=9490fb0fe4&e=9d1648f98c

Follow on Twitter @WalkrStalkrCon
On Facebook at Walker Stalker Convention
Official Hashtag #WSCChicago