Comic News: 2009 SLATE OF MOTION COMICS ANNOUNCED

WARNER PREMIERE CONTINUES TO LEAD THE MOTION COMICS CATEGORY WITH THE DEBUT OF “SUPERMAN: RED SON,” “BATGIRL: YEAR ONE” AND “BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE” COLLECTION 2

First Episode of Superman: Red Son Available for Free via iTunes for Limited Time
Three All-New Motion Comic Series Announced Today During Comic-Con Panel
Complete Motion Comics Series for “Batgirl: Year One” and “Batman: Black and White” Collection 2 Debuts


Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced three new additions to the best-selling Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate. Classic graphic novels Superman: Red Son and Batgirl: Year One, as well as graphic album Batman: Black and White Collection 2 entered the digital age as Warner Premiere Motion Comics on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). Also announced today comrades everywhere, for a limited time, can download the first glorious episode of Superman: Red Son for free and see how Stalin’s most powerful weapon swayed the balance of power during the Cold War (http://tinyurl.com/SmanRedSonPR).

Continuing to lead the motion comics experience, Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics connect comic fans to authentic DC characters through short-form content. The Motion Comics slate draws on a deep reservoir of source material to bring a visually engaging experience to life through the use of subtle movements, voice-overs, sweeping music scores and stunning comic book artwork.

“Last year we debuted our Motion Comics slate and saw the voracious appetite graphic novel fans had for this digital content,” said Diane Nelson, president, Warner Premiere. “One of the reasons for our success is Warner Premiere working closely with DC Comics to determine if a story naturally lends itself to becoming a motion comic. Another key is the process we use to select the studios that ultimately create these motion comics. They are very passionate comic book fans so creating these motion comics really are a labor of love. We’re very proud of our success and look forward to bringing more titles to comic fans in the future.”

Superman: Red Son
Warner Premiere Motion Comics is proud to bring “Superman: Red Son” to its Motion Comics slate. Based on the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel written by Mark Millar and drawn by Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett “Superman: Red Son” takes viewers back in time to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union where Superman is fighting for the Communists. In this alternate universe, Superman lands in Russia rather than the United States andSoviet Union's greatest weapon as the world is transformed into a communist state opposed only by a crumbling capitalistic AmericaLex Luthor. Now as Superman stands on the brink of ultimate power, three heroes, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern, each make a valiant stand to destroy the reign of the Man of Steel. The Superman: Red Son Motion Comic was animated by New Zealand-based Karactaz. grows to become the and its President

For a limited time, the first episode of Superman: Red Son is now available on iTunes for free. To download, visit www.itunes.com or (http://tinyurl.com/SmanRedSonPR). Future episodes will debut once a week and fans are encouraged to sign up for a Season Pass to automatically receive future episodes.

Batgirl: Year One
Barbara Gordon comes to the digital age with Batgirl: Year One Motion Comics, based on the popular series. The story begins with our heroine having an internal monologue while batting Killer Moth and his henchmen. Wearing a female version of Batman’s costume, she makes an appearance at The Gotham City Police Department’s “Million Dollar Masquerade Ball.” Soon after arriving she rushes to aide her adoptive father Police Commissioner James Gordon who has been attacked by a villain. While the Chief lies unconscious, she prevents Bruce Wayne from being hit with the same energy weapon that injured her father. Flashbacks within her mind retell the series of events which have lead to her first battle with a super villain.
Created by Perpetual Notions, the complete Batgirl: Year One Motion Comics series is now available on iTunes.

Batman: Black & White Collection 2
The second series of Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate, “Batman: Black & White” is taken from three award-winning collections of short stories starring the Caped Crusader. The Motion Comics reflect the original and diverse visions of various artists and writers as they tell stories in the now-infamous world of Gotham City.

The “Batman: Black & White” stories are told from the perspective of Batman and range in theme from the unsettling drama of solving a brutal murder to the light comedy of fighting bad guys with a broken nose. These short episodes also touch on elements of romance, mystery and even the supernatural. And like any exciting Batman story, classic villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn and Two-Face make heralded appearances. It’s Batman as seen through the prism of some of today’s most eloquent graphic artists and writers.

Batman: Black & White Collection 2 Motion Comics series includes the following titles:
I’ll Be Watching
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated by: Ryan Sook

The Call
Written by: Mark Schultz
Illustrated by: Claudio Castellini

Monsters In The Closet
Written by: Jan Strnad
Illustrated by: Kevin Nowlan

A Game of Bat and Rat
Written by: John Arcudi
Illustrated by: John Buscema

Hands
Written by: Scott Peterson
Illustrated by: Danijel Zezelj

Sunrise
Written by: Alex Garland
Illustrated by: Sean Phillips

In Dreams
Written by: Andrew Helfer
Illustrated by: Liberatore

Heroes
Written by: Archie Goodwin
Illustrated by: Gary Gianni

Legend
Written by: Walter Simonson
Illustrated by; Walter Simonson

Blackout
Written by: Howard Chaykin
Illustrated by: Jordi Bernet

The complete second collection of Batman: Black & White Motion Comics are now available on the iTunes Store.