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 PanelComplete 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.
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New TRANSFORMERS movie-inspired miniseries launching in early 2010
The new TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN movie has already hit theaters but the saga continues with IDW’s new miniseries,TRANSFORMERS: Nefarious. Scripted by Simon Furman with art by Carlos Magno, this six-issue series follows a shadowy organization with devious designs on the TRANSFORMERS.
“The latest TRANSFORMERS movie added several very cool elements to the tapestry—SOUNDWAVE and RAVAGE being my favorites—and we’re keen to explore them,” said Andy Schmidt, IDW’s TRANSFORMERS editor. “Our story tracks a new organization with ‘nefarious’ designs on the robots in disguise. Their technology gives them a tactical advantage not yet seen in the films.”
Fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS scribe Simon Furman crafts an action-packed tale that pits the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS against an unseen enemy, while Carlos Magno draws suspense into every panel. Brian Rood will also contribute variant covers for the miniseries.
TRANSFORMERS: Nefarious will be available in stores in early 2010.
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Becomes Senior Editor on October 5th
Once again expanding its team of talented creators and editors, IDW is proud to announce that industry legend Robert Schreck will be joining the company on October 5th. Schreck, a thirty-year veteran of comics and publishing, will become a senior editor for IDW, and focus on developing new projects and bringing new creators to the company’s existing brands.
During his ten-year run as group editor at DC Comics, Schreck’s illustrious career has included heading up the award-winning All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, and ushering in the return of Frank Miller and Lynn Varley to Batman, with the release of The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Schreck has worked with some of the best creators in the industry, such as Arthur Adams, Neal Adams, Harlan Ellison, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Jim Lee, Brad Meltzer, Miller, Morrison, Paul Pope, Quitely, George Romero, Dave Stevens, Kevin Smith, Varley, and Judd Winick, among many others.
“Bob has an amazing talent for finding and making great books,” said Ted Adams, IDW’s CEO. “The combination of his innate skill and impressive experience make Bob a very valuable addition to the IDW team and we are thrilled to have him with us.”
In the last two years at DC Comics, Schreck’s efforts focused on developing new projects for the Vertigo line for Karen Berger, wherehewas also the editor of this year's Eisner Award-nominated Madame Xanadu series by Matt Wagner and Amy Hadley, and the newly published graphic novel, The Nobody, by the critically acclaimed writer and artist, Jeff Lemire.
“I am very excited to be joining Ted and the entire IDW team,” Schreck commented. “He and I go way back, and I’ve had my eye on the company’s savvy approach to publishing, which has secured them the number three position in today’s very competitive marketplace.” Schreck concluded, “I love finding and nurturing new talent, and exploring new concepts for the comics medium to tackle, and IDW seems to value those aspirations, as well. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter of my career.”
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IDW will publish Vitrol the Hunter by Billy Martin and Brent Allen
Already a graphic artist, clothing designer and guitarist for the band Good Charlotte, Billy Martin will now turn his considerable talents to comics with Vitriol the Hunter, an all-new comic book series co-written by Brent Allen and featuring Martin on interior art, as well. This futuristic tale of a vigilante is slated to launch in February 2010.
Vitriol the Hunterwas co-created by Martin and Allen, and draws on the folklore and old monster myths prevalent in today’s society, twisting them into a macabre-style story reminiscent of classic horror movies. A self-proclaimed vigilante, Vitriol embarks on a quest to save his city from the monsters that have overtaken it, led by a brutal tyrant vampire.
“Billy and Brent have created a great story in Vitriol,” said IDW Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. “The book takes the best parts of monster movies and epic journeys does things with them that can only be done in comics. Martin’s art really shows his love of these concepts as well as comic books.”
Set in the fictional city of Basilika, Vitriol the Hunter chronicles our hero’s journey as he encounters government-bred werewolves, hordes of hellions and other walking myths. The series is slated to run for six issues.
“I grew up always thinking I’d draw comic books for a living. I’m grateful for the success I’ve had as a musician, but this really feels like fulfilling a dream for me,” said Martin. “I truly love drawing and can’t wait for people to see this book.”
Fans can get their first look at Martin’s art and the characters in the series at Comic-Con, where both Martin and Allen will be signing t-shirts and promo cards at IDW’s booth, #1705.
“Billy and I have done numerous writing projects together and this is definitely our best work to date,” added Allen. “Being from Baltimore, Edgar Allan Poe is a hero of mine and I can only hope to step foot in part of his shadow on this project. We are both really excited to hear how the readers take to the world we created.”
Vitriol the Hunter #1 (of 6) debuts in February 2010.
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Five years ago, the entire fast food industry was changed by a single movie. Super Size Me awakened consumers to the dangerous consequences of a fast food diet, irreparably shifting the consciousness of a nation. Independent filmmaker Morgan Spurlock became an international success as audiences across the world were shocked by the dramatic toll the thirty-day experiment took on his body.
Today, Dark Horse is proud to collaborate with Warrior Poets and Morgan Spurlock on an original graphic novel companion to the Academy Award–nominated film. Supersized: Strange Tales from a Fast Food Culture expands on some of the bizarre stories not featured in the original film. Written by Morgan Spurlock, and scripted and drawn by a variety of creators, the graphic novel is set for a spring 2010 release in conjunction with the anniversary of the original film.
Championing proper nutrition, Supersized: Strange Tales from a Fast Food Culture will act both as an entertaining—and at times gut-wrenching—series of stories and as an educational mirror for society to examine its potentially destructive culture. A perfect companion to Super Size Me, but also a powerful, standalone tool for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of healthy eating habits, the graphic novel will bridge the gaps between humor, fact, and heart, while peering behind-the-scenes of the fast food world.
“Everyone here at Dark Horse is excited to be working with Morgan and Warrior Poets,” stated Dark Horse Senior Editor Dave Land (Achewood, Indiana Jones, Tony Millionaire’s Sock Monkey), who will be overseeing production on the upcoming graphic novel. “We’re all looking forward to what will be both an informative and entertaining comic.”
Supersized is the first planned released of a potential ongoing program between Dark Horse, Morgan Spurlock, and his New York–based Warrior Poets, who look to create original graphic novels that tie into Spurlock’s future films.
“I couldn’t imagine a better partner than Dark Horse Comics to help us make the jump into the world of graphic novels,” said Morgan Spurlock. “I’m thrilled that Dark Horse sees the intrinsic value of nonfiction stories, and I’m incredibly excited that we have such a fantastic partner to help expand the audience and reach of our projects. Being the geek that I am, I can honestly say this is a dream come true.”
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New partnership with Weekly World News kicks off in January
For years, Bat Boy and the other bizarre denizens of the Weekly World News delighted millions in the long-running tabloid newspaper. Now, those same creatures are headed to full-color comic books for the first time. IDW Publishing is proud to announce a new partnership with the Weekly World News to bring those characters to comics, in the form of a new 4-issue miniseries kicking off in January 2010.
In the first-ever Weekly World News miniseries, “The Irredemption of Ed Anger,” the beloved Bat Boy is joined by the far-right-wing columnist Ed Anger (“pave the Rain Forest!”), PhD Ape (simian psychologist to the stars), UFO Alien (presidential-predicting pundit from the stars), Manigator (half-man/half-gator reptilian good ol’ boy), Lemmie (the Lake Erie Monster); Chaos Cloud (unpredictable weather front with the face of François Mitterand); and even Freeze Dried Baby (surly 95-year-old-looking baby) in an adventure that divides and unites, the group.
The series will be written by IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief and Eisner-nominated writer Chris Ryall (Groom Lake, Zombies vs Robots), with art by Alan Robinson (Terminator Salvation Movie Prequel). Robinson will also be contributing covers that emulate classic Weekly World News covers, and artist Joe Corroney (Star Trek) will be providing special variant covers for the series. Each issue will also contain classic newspaper stories featuring these characters as back-up material, too.
The Weekly World News, which carried the tagline “The World’s Only Reliable News” and spent years living up to that description, launched in 1979 as a supermarket tabloid focused on sensational stories.
“This tells you something about my dreams when I say that this really is a dream project for me,” said Chris Ryall. “I’ve followed Bat Boy’s exploits for over a decade, so it’s just great to be a part of the effort to expose him to an all-new audience and do monthly Weekly comics. WWN’s other characters make it that much better in terms of writing and in terms of offering up bizarre imagery for readers, too. ”
“The Chaos Cloud is scheduled to destroy Earth in 2014, so we figured if we were going to do comics, we should better hurry up and get with IDW,” said Neil McGinness, Weekly World News CEO. “IDW makes for a great partner as they have had terrific success with leading entertainment brands. Plus, we have admired Chris Ryall's work on Groom Lake and are very much looking forward to working together to bring the Weekly World News brand and all of our characters to life in comic book form.”
Weekly World News #1 (of 4), a 32-page, $3.99 comic book, debuts in January 2010.
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J. Scott Campbell’s hit series given deluxe treatment.
IDW Publishing is proud to announce Danger Girl, J. Scott Campbell’s sexy spy-genre classic, has joined the IDW family of books. The best-selling first mini-series will be collected in an oversized, deluxe hardcover edition, along with never before published extras, and released in spring 2010. New Danger Girlstories are also being planned, with Campbell providing covers.
Additionally, expanding its already impressive digital catalogue, IDW is pleased to announce an eight-page Danger Girl preview, available as a free application for iPhones and iPod Touches now on iTunes. The first digital issue of the hugely popular series will be available for purchase in the coming weeks, and subsequent issues, each featuring a full-length issue, will be released regularly.
“Danger Girl is a project near and dear to my heart,” said IDW Special Projects Editor, Scott Dunbier. “It’s a fun action-adventure story, and Jeff Campbell is just a great artist and storyteller—check out the free iPhones preview app and you’ll see what I mean.”
Created by Campbell and Andy Hartnell, Danger Girl is a sexy take on spy comics, combining humor, suspense and action, coupled with a bevy of sexy heroines.
“I’m very happy to bring Danger Girl to IDW,” said Campbell. “Their printing is extraordinary, and I wanted to work with Scott again. There really was no reason not to come here.”
Danger Girl #0 is now available as a free application on iTunes.
Danger Girl will be available in stores in 2010.
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THE WORLD’S HEAVIEST ANIMATED BAND FROM ADULT SWIM ARRIVES IN AN ALL-NEW SERIES FROM DARK HORSE!
Following the release of the highly anticipated Dethklok vs. The Goon, Dark Horse Comics and Adult Swim announce a brand-new comics series based on the immensely popular animated show Metalocalypse. The band’s five members—Nathan Explosion, William “Murderface,” Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, and Pickles—will be featured in a full publishing program created by series co-creator Brendon Small and a collaborative team of Metalocalypse and Dark Horse artists and writers.
Co-created by Tommy Blacha and Brendon Small, the Metalocalypse television series follows the on- and off-stage adventures of the world’s most brutal band as they create a wave of mayhem, death, and destruction wherever they go. Since debuting on Adult Swim in 2006, the series has become one of the network’s highest-rated original series, and the second season was watched by more than five million 18 to 34-year-old viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. This animated band has also had a lot of very real success, as the band’s debut CD, Dethklok: The Dethalbum, is the fastest-selling death-metal album of all time since debuting at #21 on Billboard’s Top 100 list, and a real-live version of the animated band has completed nearly sold-out tours. The follow up album, Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, will be released on September 8th from Williams Street Records.
“This collaboration with Dark Horse Comics is a great opportunity for us to partner with a company that has a shared sensibility and fan base with one of Adult Swim’s most popular brands,” said Christina Miller, vice president of Cartoon Network Enterprises. “Combining the pool of artistic talent of both companies, we have created a great publishing program that will both deliver the quality, entertaining content that our fans look for and will expose the hilarious antics of Dethklok to a new group of potential fans.”
“I am a huge fan of Eric and of The Goon,” says Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. “Eric, it turns out, is a huge fan of Metalocalypse. Once Eric suggested this team up, we began discussing the project and it seemed like a natural fit. We couldn't be more excited about introducing these characters to the comics world.”
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Today at Comic-Con, Google introduced a new collection of iGoogle themes focused on comics (www.google.com/comicsthemes). iGoogle is all about personalizing your homepage the way you want it with the stuff you like.
We've teamed up with more than a dozen comics publishers and wide range of artists to create a collection of over 50 themes in total, giving them a new canvas to bring their comics to life in millions of iGoogle pages. With these new themes, our comics partners have an opportunity to connect with their communities and fan bases through a new dynamic medium. Whether users are hardcore comic readers or simply admirers of the illustrations and graphics, we hope the visuals from nostalgic comics like Charles Schulz's Peanuts, iconic heroes like DC's Superman and Marvel's The Hulk, colorful manga stories like Rumiko Takahashi's RIN-NE, and work from alternative comics creators like Dan Clowes will provide them with more choices to reflect their personal style and interests.
Participating comics creators in this theme collection include:
Partners:
Dark Horse Comics - Hellboy
DC Comics - Blackest Night, Superman: World of New Krypton, Batman Reborn, Fables, Vertigo, WildStorm, Women of the DC Universe, Zuda Comics
Diesel Sweeties - Richard Stevens 3
Fantagraphics - Daniel Clowes, Popeye by E.C. Segar, Krazy & Ignatz by George Herriman, The Museum of Love and Mystery by Jim Woodring, Kim Deitch, Jaime Hernandez, Megan Kelso: Dinosaurs
First Second Books - A.L.I.E.E.E.N., American Born Chinese, Drawing Words and Writing Pictures, The Professor’s Daughter, Adventures in Cartooning, The Eternal Smile, Robot Dreams
Lark Pien - Lark Pien
Marvel - Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Spider-Woman
MUTTS - Patrick McDonnell
Oni Press - Oni Press Illustrators
Picture Box - Lauren Weinstein
Secret Acres - Minty Lewis
Sparkplug - Hellen Jo
TOKYOPOP - TOKYOPOP Kawaii, TOKYOPOP Kakoii
Top Shelf - Jeffrey Brown, Johnny Boo by James Kochalka, Owly by Andy Runton, Renée French
Uclick - Garfield by Jim Davis, TMNT, Ziggy by Tom Wilson
United Media - Dilbert, Peanuts, Pearls Before Swine, Nancy
Viz Media - RIN-NE by Rumiko Takahashi, Children of the Sea by Daisuke Igarashi, Beat Girl by Shojo Beat
For more information, you can read the blog post on the announcement http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-birdits-planeits-igoogle-comics.html
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Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) will preview at San Diego Comic-Con 2009 a new line of action figures based on Twentieth Century Fox’s upcoming epic action-adventure film, “Avatar,” that will incorporate augmented reality technology, marking the first time this technology will ever appear in a retail toy product.
The toy line, developed in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing) will feature heroes, creatures and vehicles straight from James Cameron’s much-anticipated film, which is set for release in December 2009.
Each action figure, vehicle and creature in the product line will come with a 3-D web tag, called an i-TAG, which consumers can “scan” using a home computer’s webcam. Scanning the i-TAG will reveal special content onscreen unique to the corresponding product. Exact content varies for each item, but could include biographical information, additional images and animated models of the figures. When the i-TAG for deluxe figures, vehicles or creatures are placed under a webcam, animated 3-D models will “come alive” through engaging, evading or defending moves. Place two i-TAGs from the “Battle Pack” together and the 3-D images will interact with each other.
“The development of our ‘Avatar’ toy line with the integration of the augmented reality technology marks an entirely new level of innovation in toys,” said Doug Wadleigh, Vice President for Boys Action Play Marketing, Mattel, Inc. “Boys will be able to play with the ‘Avatar’ figures and vehicles in ways that previously could only be imagined.”
Lora Cohn, Vice President, Fox Licensing, added, “This is going to be a ground-breaking moment for both film and toy with the introduction of one of the most innovative 3-D experiences ever conceived. Mattel has created the perfect complement to a film that is going to wow audiences the world over with its bold new vision.”
The i-TAG technology was developed by Total Immersion, the global leader in augmented reality. Total Immersion’s patented augmented reality technology integrates real time interactive 3-D graphics into live video. Once the object is recognized by the webcam, the product comes to life on screen.
“Augmented reality is a software solution that has significantly gained momentum and popularity with advertisers, retailers and marketers over the past several years because of its unique ability to engage consumers in their experience with a brand,” said Bruno Uzzan, CEO and co-founder, Total Immersion. “The launch of Mattel’s ‘Avatar’ toy line is truly groundbreaking, as this marks the first time augmented reality has been featured in a mainstream consumer product line.”
The Mattel line of “Avatar” action figures, creatures and vehicles will be available at retail stores nationwide in October 2009.
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Hasbro’s Star Wars team is very excited to announce the launch of its STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS DIORAMA CONTEST – and we’d love your help spreading the word!
Star Wars fans, both young and “the young-at-heart,” are encouraged to participate in Hasbro’s STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS DIORAMA CONTEST for a chance to win more than $1,000 in Hasbro Star Wars product AND have their winning diorama displayed at the next Star Wars Celebration!
Hasbro’s STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS DIORAMA CONTEST runs from 7/23/09 thru 9/25/09. Please visit starwars.hasbro.com for official rules, entry and prizing information.
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