CHRONONAUTS—A NEW TIME-TRAVEL ADVENTURE FROM MILLAR AND MURPHY
The eagerly anticipated new series garners advance praise

New York Times bestselling writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, JUPITER'S LEGACY) and New York Times bestselling artist Sean Gordon Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus) have teamed up for a time-traveling adventure in CHRONONAUTS, which is poised to be a breakout hit this March 18.

Hot off the wave of press enthusiasm surrounding the recent premiere of the hit film adaptation, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Millar takes on the science-fiction/adventure genre CHRONONAUTS, pairing his characteristic fast-paced scripting with Murphy’s rich, mesmerizing art style in a series that has press raving even in advance of the release.

In CHRONONAUTS, Corbin Quinn and Danny Reilly are two buddies who love to have fun. They’re also scientific geniuses. When their research leads them to a time-traveling adventure, will they use their knowledge for the good of all mankind? Or use the space-time continuum for their own ends? CHRONONAUTS is the story of man’s first, televised steps through the time-stream and and everything going wrong in the process. 

Advance praise for CHRONONAUTS:

"Gorgeous-looking, fast-paced and fun." —Comic Book Resources

"I can’t wait to read more. Score: 5/5." —Comic Bastards

"Rivals the first 10 minutes of any summer blockbuster... March 18th can't come fast enough." —Adventures in Poor Taste

"I highly recommend this one to anyone who has been enjoying Black Science or is interested in checking out the next sci-fi winner from Image. I'm definitely in for a second issue, without a doubt." —Comicosity

"A refreshing and intriguing time romp beautifully rendered by Sean Gordon Murphy through and through." —Bloody Disgusting

"Sets up a fantastic first arc. It will certainly be exciting to see just how much story Millar has for this universe, but after just one issue, there appears to be a limitless number of places to go." —All-Comic
 

Cover A by Murphy and Matthew Hollingsworth can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150560.
Cover B by Matteo Scalera can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150561.
Cover C by Declan Shalvey can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150562.
Cover D by Dan Panosian can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150563.
Cover E by Fiona Staples can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150564.
Cover F by Ryan Ottley can be ordered with Diamond Code JAN150565.

The final order cut-off deadline for retailers is Monday, February 23.

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.

MARGUERITE SAUVAGE ADDS ATTITUDE TO THE WICKED + THE DIVINE
Issue #9 variant cover revealed
 

The New York Times bestselling series THE WICKED + THE DIVINE by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie will feature a variant cover full of attitude by artist Marguerite Sauvage (Hinterkind, Sensation Comics) for issue #9.

In THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #9, it's time for a private audience with Anake, she who has protected and judged the Pantheon for thousands of years. Yes, it's time for an interview... with an umpire. We're really sorry. We don't know where that came from.

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #9 will be available for $3.50 on March 25 with Diamond Code JAN150721. Cover B (Sauvage) will be available with Diamond Code DEC148647.

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.

SEX CRIMINALS: BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

Deluxe hardcover of hit Image series
hits stores in March

It’s big; it’s hard; and it’s coming in March — the highly anticipated deluxe hardcover of the Image Comics phenom SEX CRIMINALS by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky! BIG HARD SEX CRIMINALS, VOLUME ONE collects the first two volumes of the #1 New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling, Eisner-and-Harvey-Award-winning, 2013 Time magazine Best Comic of the Year, 2014 Paste magazine Best Comic of the Year, sex-tip-book spinning-off, reader-beloved comic book series. SEX CRIMINALS is the story of Suzie and Jon, two people with the same secret: when they have orgasms, time freezes. Suzie is a feisty librarian, determined to keep the local library from closing. Jon is a discontented banker's assistant, looking for an excuse to turn on his unscrupulous employer. When they discover they can stop time together, it's obvious what they should do with their extraordinary ability: rob banks to save Suzie’s library. And of course: complications ensue. And it’s not just that the Sex Police (yes, the Sex Police) are on to the time-freezing bank bandits. Suzie and Jon will have to grapple with what a relationship means when it stops being about just sex and starts being about love. BIG HARD SEX CRIMINALS, VOLUME ONE will be in comic book stores on March 25 and in bookstores on April 7.

BIG HARD SEX CRIMINALS, VOLUME ONE by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky ISBN 978-1-63215-243-5 Diamond Comic order code NOV140582 320 pages, oversized hardcover, full color $39.99 Collects SEX CRIMINALS #1-10 Rated Mature In comic book stores March 25, bookstores April 7

Praise for SEX CRIMINALS: “Sex Criminals is not just one of the best comics I’ve ever read, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever read, period.”  –Wil Wheaton, actor “The best debut of 2013”  –Rolling Stone “Sex comedies usually focus on the pursuit of orgasm; the writer Matt Fraction and the artist Chip Zdarsky have devised an ingenious one about the stillness that follows it. Zdarsky’s fluid, brightly hued artwork is dense with smutty gags, but this is a deeper, more understated comedy than it initially seems.” –New York Times “Fraction’s best work yet. It’s a precision-tuned screwball comedy on its surface, and that surface is gorgeous, thanks to Zdarsky’s ace sense of design and inventive color technique.” –Time “An honest, heartfelt story about relationships that was more John Hughes than John Holmes.” –USA Today “Sex Criminals bubbles over with joyous energy.” –NPR, Best Books of 2014 “I wouldn’t trust most comic creators to turn a sexual awakening into compelling pulp fiction, but Fraction and Zdarsky pull it off masterfully.” –Paste, Best Comics of 2014 “A sex comedy with a splash of crime thriller, the title is a fascinating examination of the pleasures and pitfalls of intimate relationships, using the central fantastic conceit as a metaphor for the way sex distances people but also, under the right circumstances, brings them together.” –The A.V. Club “Wildly imaginative, randy and true with characters whose sexual satisfaction freezes time and facilitates crime. Artist Zdarsky’s staging, storytelling and character designs make this even crazier. Great fun!” –Miami Herald    “Despite having such a ludicrous, high concept premise — and the pair definitely go whole hog with that, Zdarsky filling porn shops with dirty punning titles and the first issues list of made up sexual positions being particular highlights – the series frequently touches upon serious issues of sexuality.” –What Culture, Best Comics of 2014 “There is no other comic out there quite like Sex Criminals. After its strong debut last year, it now qualifies as a phenomenon with sales big enough to make it a career-defining book for its two creators.” –Mental Floss, The Most Interesting Comics of 2014

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.

Brisson and Couceiro's 'Cluster' #1 Sells Out, Is Sentenced to a Second Printing

Cluster #1 2nd Print Cover by Damian Couceiro
 

February 18,  2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is pleased to announce that the first issue of its new series about prisoners-turned-soldiers, Cluster, has sold out at the distributor level. The publisher has rushed to a second printing to fill demand.

 

Comic book fans should bear in mind that first printings of Cluster #1 may still be found at the local comic shop nearest you. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one!

 

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.

 

Praise for Cluster #1:

 

“Brisson adds another successful launch to his diverse resume with Cluster #1...a character-driven science fiction story that makes for an entertaining and engaging beginning.” - Comic Book Resources

 

“Cluster is a strong debut that looks to get even stronger.” - Newsarama

 

“Creators Ed Brisson and Damian Couceiro have crafted a sci-fi action romp with a fresh look and a fresh approach.” - IGN

 

“Cluster #1 is the kind of classic sci-fi that gives you those nostalgic fuzzies from growing up watching Starship Troopers and Pitch Black.” - Bloody Disgusting

 

“Cluster is a series that sci-fi fans need to be following.” - All-Comic

 

“Cluster #1 is awesome, simply awesome with great characters and rocking action. You would be making a mistake missing this one.” - Rhymes With Geek

 

“Cluster #1 delivered in a huge way this week and will not leave readers disappointed.” - Geek Sushi

 

“Fans of old-school, hard-boiled action are in for a treat…” - Adventures in Poor Taste

 

“From prison brawls to battlefield brawls, this is one hell of a visual treat. Put aside one of your Big Two books this week in favor of Cluster #1, you’ll be pleasantly satisfied.” - Geeks Unleashed

Cluster #1 second print ships with a new cover by series artist Damian Couceiro and carries a retail price of $3.99 with a Diamond Code of DEC148594. Orders close on February 23rd, and it is anticipated to be in stores on March 11th.
 

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.

Introducing the RIGHT HAND OF DOOM Beer

Inspired by Mike Mignola’s bestselling HELLBOY graphic novels Portland, OR, February 18, 2015—To celebrate the 21st anniversary of Mike Mignola's legendary Hellboy character, Dark Horse Comics and Rogue Ales have collaborated to create the RIGHT HAND OF DOOM, a limited edition beer that will be available online beginning February 22, 2015 at www.rogue.com. “When Dark Horse Comics published the first Hellboy story 21 years ago, I never thought there’d be a Hellboy beer,” said Mignola. “But I really can’t imagine a better time for Rogue to introduce the Right Hand of Doom beer. If Hellboy was real I guess he’d finally be able to buy me a beer.” “Hellboy has appeared in graphic novels and comic books, prose novels, two animated features, two live action films, toy lines and all manner of merchandise,,” said Mike Richardson, President of Dark Horse. “Rogue Ales approached us with the idea of creating a heavy-handed, supernatural red ale and we loved the idea of two independent, Portland based companies coming together to create something new that would be both fun for fans and worthy of the Mike Mignola’s creative legacy.” “This beer is dedicated to the B.P.R.D,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “RIGHT HAND OF DOOM is brewed with all the same passion and intensity that Mike Mignola and Dark Horse have brought to Hellboy for the past 21 years.” The RIGHT HAND OF DOOM label features a Hellboy drawing by Mignola. The beer will be available for the first time publicly at an event at Things From Another World Comics store in Portland on Friday, February 20 at a signing with Mignola and fellow comic book superstars Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT), Eric Powell (THE GOON) and Brian Wood (REBELS). The event begins at 4 PM, with Mignola’s signing scheduled for 6 PM. The beer will be available nationally via http://buy.rogue.com/Rogue-Hellboy-Right-Hand-of-Doom-Red-Ale; pre-orders are now available. About Dark Horse Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material. About Rogue Ale & Spirits Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,700 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states and 48 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapenos and pumpkins one acre at a time by growing their own.

VIZ MEDIA PREVIEWS THE HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF RANMA ½ ANIME SERIES SET 5 LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET

Latest Action Packed HD Episodes Of The Legendary Martial Arts Comedy Arrive As A New 3-Disc Blu-Ray Collectable Box Set In Early March; Standard Edition DVD Set Also Announced

San Francisco, CA, February 17, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers more RANMA ½ anime action and comedy to fans with the March 3^rd home media release of Set 5 of the celebrated gender-bending martial arts action comedy based on the popular manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi.

RANMA ½ is being released as a series of 7 High Definition Limited Edition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD Box Sets. The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 5 carries an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN. The set features Episodes 93-115 on 3 discs, presented in full 1080p High Definition resolution with the series’ original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray edition also contains a 32-page booklet with individual episode summaries. Bonus features include clean openings and endings as well as series trailers and a special “We love Ranma Part 5 - We love Collecting” segment. The set comes in a gorgeously illustrated chipboard box with embossed foil stamping.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD Set 5 also features 23 episodes with the original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio, and bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers. The Standard Edition DVD set is available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

In the latest episodes, Sentaro, successor to Martial Arts Tea Ceremony, makes Ranma battle the grand master as his wife to break off his arranged marriage meeting! Though he has no intention of becoming a wife, Ranma's battle spirit heats up when faced with the strength of the grand tea master! After that, the world of martial arts gets even bigger with the introduction of Martial Arts Shogi, Martial Arts Dining, and Martial Arts Calligraphy. What will be the outcome of these battles? Ranma also continues to be surrounded by many weird friends. A new transfer student arrives at school named Gosunkugi, who instantly falls in love with Akane and tries to use curses to eliminate Ranma so he can have her all to himself! The hijinks just won't stop!

RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on RANMA ½ or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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© Rumiko Takahashi / Shogakukan

SUPER HEROES GET SMALL (AND CUTE), AS BLEACHER CREATURES DRAMATICALLY EXPANDS

ITS LINE OF DC COMICS PLUSH FIGURES

Following the Success of 10-Inch-Tall Batman Classic TV Series and Man of Steel Bleacher Creatures,

Company Releases New DC Comics–Inspired Plush in 2015

Figures Encompass DC Entertainment Comic Book, Film, and TV Characters, Including Batman Plush Inspired by the 1989 Batman theatrical film and The Dark Knight Trilogy

A new cast of DC Comics Super Heroes and Super-Villains is storming the universe—and now they’re 10 inches tall and irresistibly cuddly.

Bleacher Creatures—the innovative licensing manufacturer whose incredibly true-to-life plush figures represent the greatest sports, entertainment and inspirational icons in the world—will introduce a dramatically expanded line of plush figures inspired by DC Comics characters via its license with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment. The new characters follow on the tremendous popular success of Bleacher Creatures’ Batman Classic TV Series and Man of Steel lines released last fall.

The 2015 line of Bleacher Creatures’ DC Comics plush will be released in three waves from May through August, and include figures based on DC Entertainment comic books, films, and television characters. In addition to such outsize characters as Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern, the line will feature a variety of Batman plush inspired by the 1989 Batman theatrical film and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

“We’re thrilled that our initial line with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment proved so popular that now we’re expanding to include some of the greatest DC Comics characters of all time,” says Matthew Hoffman, founder and president of Bleacher Creatures. “Men, women, kids, and kids at heart will all find heroes (and villains!) who are every bit as inspiring in 10-inch-tall plush form as their counterparts in comic books, films, and TV…but who are, dare I say it, a lot cuter.”

The 2015 Bleacher Creatures line-up of DC Comics characters includes:

MAY (comic book line)

Batman

Harley Quinn

Wonder Woman

Green Lantern

Nightwing

Deathstroke

JULY (film line)

Superman from Superman

Batman from Batman (1989 Theatrical Film)

Batman from The Dark Knight Trilogy

Superman from Man of Steel

Zod from Superman

Zod from Man of Steel

AUGUST (TV line)

The Arrow from Arrow

The Penguin from Gotham

The Flash from The Flash

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About Bleacher Creatures

Bleacher Creatures is an innovative licensing manufacturer that produces a variety of children’s toys and fan enthusiast products through partnerships with professional sports leagues and entertainment properties. Bleacher Creatures are incredibly true-to-life plush figures of the greatest athletes and entertainment icons, allowing young fans (those who are young at heart) to put their passion in play. Bleacher Creatures' goal: to encourage fun, inspiration and, of course, play among fans of any age. 

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

BATMAN, SUPERMAN, GREEN LANTERN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.   

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