TOP COW UNVEILS FREE COMIC BOOK DAY PLANS

Includes Numerous Hometown Signings and Events

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced its plans today for this weekend’s Free Comic Book Day, Saturday, May 2nd which takes place in comic shops across North America. Free Comic Book Day is an annual event where participating direct market stores give out free comics to anyone that walks into their store.

Top Cow is participating again in the event with their Free Comic Book Day offering, Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer First Look. The issue serves as an introduction to the publisher’s summer event of the same name, which brings together the two popular teams Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer. The series and Free Comic Book Day offering is written by Mark Waid (Amazing Spider-Man, Irredeemable) and drawn by Kenneth Rocafort (Astonishing Tales, Madame Mirage). Both teams were co-created by Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri and Hunter-Killer was co-created by writer Mark Waid. The teams have been absent from a regular series for several years and this marks their return to the forefront of the Top Cow Universe.

Writer Mark Waid will be appearing at Collector’s Paradise in Winnetka, CA and artist Kenneth Rocafort will be appearing at the Puerto Rico Comic Con in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Other Top Cow creators making appearances in Los Angeles include Michael Broussard, Rob Levin, Nelson Blake II, and Rick Loverd. Additionally, Top Cow mainstays Ron Marz and Phil Hester will be appearing in various parts of the United States to celebrate the annual event.

Complete details follow below:

Collector's Paradise
7131 Winnetka Ave.
Winnetka, CA 91306
(818) 999-9455
Signing 12pm-3pm
Mark Waid (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer)
Joe Benitez (The Darkness, Magdalena)
David Wohl (Witchblade, The Darkness)

Puerto Rico Comic Con & Pop Culture Expo
100 Convention Boulevard
San Juan, PR 00907
http://www.thepopcultureexpo.com/
Signing
Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer, Madame Mirage)

Beach Ball Comics
024 W Ball Rd. Ste. G
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 826-6127
Signing 11am-2pm
Michael Broussard (The Darkness)
Ryan Winn (The Darkness)
Rick Loverd (Berserker)

Comic Bug
1807 ½ Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 372-6704
Signing from 3pm-5pm
Joshua Hale Fialkov (Cyblade, Pilot Season: Alibi)

Earth-2 Comics
15017 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA
(818) 386-9590
Signing from 12pm-2pm
Filip Sablik (Publisher)
Sheldon Mitchell (Witchblade Annual, Freshmen Summer Special)

Metropolis Comics
16509 Bellflower Blvd
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 263-0277
Signing from 11am-1pm
Joshua Hale Fialkov (Cyblade, Pilot Season: Alibi)

Capes Comic Book Lounge
6208 Maple Street
Omaha, NE 68104
(402) 558-0212
Signing
Jeremy Haun (Berserker)

Earthworld Comics
537 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206
Signing 12pm-6pm
Ron Marz (Witchblade, Broken Trinity)

Krypton Comics
2819 S. 125th Street
Omaha, NE 68144
(402) 391-4131
Signing 10am-6pm
Phil Hester (The Darkness)

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The Hulk Faces Off Against his Son in Planet Skaar Prologue!

The epic clash of the titans that everyone has been anxiously awaiting is here as the savage Skaar faces off against his father, the incredible Hulk, in Planet Skaar Prologue!

That’s right True Believers, Hulk-a-mania is here and it’s smashing wild! Acclaimed scribe Greg Pak (World War Hulk, Skaar: Son of Hulk) and fan favorite artist Ron Lim (Skaar: Son of Hulk) deliver the most violent brute in the Marvel Universe on a vicious quest for vengeance! Skaar ravaged his homeland and now has his sights set on Earth where it will be Hulk vs Hulk – with mankind stuck in the middle! The sins of the father will come back to haunt Earth as Skaar’s stunning secrets are revealed—and put Earth in grave danger!

What will happen when these two green giants, bound by blood, collide in this savage showdown? One thing’s for sure—Skaar is coming and there will be smashing & slashing! Don’t miss Planet Skaar Prologue!

PLANET SKAAR PROLOGUE (MAR092571)
Written by GREG PAK
Penciled by DAN PANOSIAN
Cover by ALEX GARNER
Parental Advisory…$3.99
FOC – 4/30/09, On-Sale—5/20/09



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5 Quick Questions with Chuck Dixon

Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.

His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline for Comico Comics in 1984. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.

In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing stories in their Tales of Terror anthology, before starting work on Airboy with artist Tim Truman in July of that year. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy, in October 1987 he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.

He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin, Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl, as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey.

Currently it has been announced that he will take over the writing on Dynamite Entertainment's series The Man with No Name based on the well-known western character. He is also signed on to do a G.I. Joe series for IDW Publishing.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questioins:

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Still being gainfully employed after all this time. Freelancing in comics is tough beat.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

I've worked with LOTS of talent. To pick one is near impossible.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

The Fantastic Four. After all this time the series is still challenging. There's so many directions you can go with it.

4) Who are your influences?

Larry Hama. Archie Goodwin. Donald E.Westlake. Howard Hawks.Preston Sturges. Steve Ditko.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I'd like to reconcile Moon Knight's being a Jew with the the powers of an Egyptian warrior. I proposed it back when I was on the book but couldn't get any traction from my editor.

Visit Chuck's website at http://www.dixonverse.net/!
And come see him at http://www.comicspace.com/chuckdixon/

Brian Isaacs
Story Editor

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5 Quick Questions with Andy Diggle

Andy Diggle is a British comic book writer and former editor of 2000 AD. He is best known for his work on The Losers,Swamp Thing, Green Arrow: Year One, Adam Strange and Silent Dragon.

Formerly he was the editor of cult British comic 2000AD, for which he won the 2001 Eagle Award for Favourite Comics Editor.

He went freelance in 2002, winning the National Comics Award for Best New Talent, and the following year was named one of Entertainment Weekly's "Breakout Stars of 2003".

He is currently writing DAREDEVIL, THUNDERBOLTS and DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE for Marvel, plus various as-yet-unannounced graphic novels and creator-owned projects.

Diggle will be taking over the writing of Daredevil after Ed Brubaker's departure in issue #500.


He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Turning Green Arrow into a junkie.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Jock -- because he makes me look good!

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Nick Fury, because he's the ultimate badass. I'll have to get rid of Bendis and Hickman first, though. Make it look like an accident.

4) Who are your influences?

John Wagner, James Cameron, William Gibson, Steven Spielberg, Elmore Leonard, Garth Ennis. Lots more probably.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I'd give Blade his balls back.

Check out Andy's website at www.andydiggle.com

Brian Isaacs
Story Editor

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Marvel Comics On-Sale 04/29/09

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on April 29th, 2009.

For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2009-04-29 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #5
AVENGERS/INVADERS #10
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR: A BROTHER IN ARMS ONE-SHOT
DARK AVENGERS #4
DARK AVENGERS #4 YOUNG GUN VARIANT (DR)
DARK REIGN: THE CABAL ONE-SHOT
DOCTOR DOOM AND THE MASTERS OF EVIL #4
ENDER'S GAME: BATTLE SCHOOL #5
KABUKI REFLECTIONS #13
MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS #35
MARVEL ASSISTANT-SIZED SPECTACULAR #2
MARVEL COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAGAZINE
MARVEL COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAGAZINE DAVIS VARIANT
MARVEL PREVIEWS #69
MS. MARVEL #38 (DR)
MS. MARVEL #38 WOLVERINE ART VARIANT (DR)
NOVA #24 (WOK)
RUNAWAYS #9
RUNAWAYS #9 WOLVERINE ART VARIANT
SKAAR #10
THUNDERBOLTS #130 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
THUNDERBOLTS #131 (DR)
THUNDERBOLTS #131 LANGLEY VARIANT (DR)
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #5
UNCANNY X-MEN #509
WAR MACHINE #5 (DR)
WAR MACHINE #5 WOLVERINE ART VARIANT (DR)
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #1 GARNEY 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR ONE-SHOT 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE ONE-SHOT

Collections On-Sale:
ANITA BLAKE, VAMPIRE HUNTER: THE LAUGHING CORPSE BOOK 1 - ANIMATOR PREMIERE HC
ANITA BLAKE, VAMPIRE HUNTER: THE LAUGHING CORPSE BOOK 1 - ANIMATOR PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: EARTH SHALL OVERCOME PREMIERE HC
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: EARTH SHALL OVERCOME PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)
HOUSE OF M: CIVIL WAR TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 1 TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AVENGERS VOL. 1 TPB VARIANT (DM ONLY)
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE HUMAN TORCH VOL. 2 HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE HUMAN TORCH VOL. 2 HC (VARIANT)
NEW EXILES VOL. 3: THE ENEMY WITHIN TPB
SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER-WOMEN DIGEST
SUPREME POWER: POWERS & PRINCIPALITIES PREMIERE HC
THOR: AGES OF THUNDER HC
ULTIMATE IRON MAN II TPB
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 2 TPB
X-MEN: PROTEUS PREMIERE HC
X-MEN: PROTEUS PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)

Posters On-Sale:
70TH ANNIVERSARY ALAN DAVIS POSTER

*DR= Dark Reign tie-in
*MW= Messiah War tie-in
*WOK= War of Kings tie-in



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