PENDRAGON'S POST: Oct 28, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Comic News: Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography

Groundbreaking, fact-based graphic novel
includes acclaimed Presidential Material comics

In stores today

In stores today, IDW Publishing is proud to offer Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography, the only graphic novel telling the life story of our country's 44th president, from infancy through the first 100 days of his historic administration. Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography features the smash hit Presidential Material: Barack Obama, which started a craze of Obama comic books when it launched in October of 2008. The new hardcover graphic novel also includes the follow-up series chronicling the heated presidential campaign through the inauguration, and goes on to detail the first 100 days of the Obama administration.
"Barack Obama proved change can happen," said IDW editor Scott Dunbier. "Now young people can discover how this man rose from humble beginnings to become the President of the United States. It's a compelling story and we're proud it has gotten so much positive attention."

In July of 2008, IDW announced the first comic book series about the historic 2008 presidential campaign. Presidential Material was a smash hit with both fans and critics, featuring the life stories of both then-Senator Obama and Senator John McCain. Demand for the Obama book was so strong that it went through five printings. As Geoff Boucher in The Los Angeles Times said: "I'm happy to report that the stories and art inside were far more compelling than I anticipated and that these short-form biographies... deliver savvy and nimble life stories for both candidates and mostly succeed in stripping away overt partisan spin, be it home-team puffery or us-versus-them venom. The books, while short (or maybe because they are short), are fairly ideal introductions to each candidate, especially for teen readers."

IDW followed Presidential Material with a two part series that covered the Democratic National Convention, Obama's historic victory in November, the Inauguration, and then the newly-elected president's first 100 days in office. Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography collects all three stories, written by Jeff Mariotte with art by Tom Morgan. Award-winning artist J. Scott Campbell provides the cover.

Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography (80 pages, $14.99) will be available in stores on October 28th. Diamond order code NOV09 0841; ISBN 978-1-60010-530-2.

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Top Cow Productions, Inc. Supports Albany Comic Con

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today an appearance by Witchblade scribe Ron Marz and the exclusive Witchblade #131 variant cover at Albany Comic Con this weekend. This year’s Albany Comic Con will be held on Sunday, November 1st, 2009, from 10 AM to 4 PM, at the Wolf Road Holiday Inn in Albany, NY.

The publisher will be offering an exclusive Albany Comic Con variant cover to Witchblade #131 for the event by Matthew Dow Smith (Doctor Who, Supernatural), who will also appear at the show.

Ron Marz will be available to sign the convention variant and answer fan questions about the new direction he is taking the Top Cow Universe with the recent wrapping of the “War of the Witchblades” story arc in Witchblade, the upcoming series Angelus, as well as other upcoming projects, including Magdalena and Artifacts.

Matthew Dow Smith will also be available to sign the convention variant.

The limited Witchblade #131 Albany Comic Con Variant will retail for $10.00.

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All art donated by comics’ most celebrated artists!

At long last, the Wolverine: Weapon X 100 Project is complete!

Marvel Comics graciously printed off Hero Initiative-exclusive blank-cover copies of the recent Wolverine: Weapon X #1, and Hero got 100 artists to do an original Wolverine cover on each! The result is a star-studded Adamantium fest the likes of which has never been seen before! Fan favorites and comic book legends such as Neal Adams, J. Scott Campbell, David Finch, Arthur Adams, Tim Sale and many more provided beautiful covers for Hero Initiative’s terrific cause. And now, these original covers can be yours.

Starting today, 12 covers will be auctioned off via eBay.com. You can bid on these magnificent, mutant-filled covers at http://qurls.com?i=48020 . Each week, twelve more will be released for sale, so keep an eye on the prize and don’t miss out on owning a great piece of collectable art. And if you are a lucky winner, you will have the option to have your book graded in CGC’s Signature Series FOR FREE.

“We were very happy to be a part of the Hero Initiative’s Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Project and Hulk 100 Project, and jumped at the chance to do it again.” said Paul Litch, CGC Vice President, “It's great art done by great artists for a great cause. CGC is honored to be a part of this project and pleased to donate our services. We can’t wait to see them all!”

Links to galleries of all the great covers can be seen at:

http://www.heroinitiative.org/NewsDetail.asp?NewsId=190 And even if you're not a high bidder, don't fret! All the covers will be collected in a rollickin' Hero Initiative benefit book in stores on December 2. Watch further announcements about that release.

As always, for more on Hero and its charitable mission to help comic creators in medical or financial need. For more information check us out at HeroInitiative.org.

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Live-Action Movie Based on Hit Animated Franchise Has Broadcast Debut in United States on November 25 at 7 p.m.

Cartoon Network territories around the globe will join forces in a worldwide campaign surrounding the broadcast premiere of Ben 10: Alien Swarm. Throughout November, countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Poland, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines will host premiere events and screenings in 26 languages to support the global broadcast premiere of the latest television movie in the hugely popular Ben 10 franchise, which transcends borders with its global success in broadcast, digital and retail.

The Ben 10: Alien Swarm tour will kick off in London, England where cast members Ryan Kelley, Galadriel Stineman, Nathan Keyes and Alyssa Diaz will present Ben’s 10 Awards to 10 lucky kids. Fans will be able to follow the cast as they travel from London to Los Angeles through updates on the official Cartoon Network Facebook page and Twitter account, posting photos, text messages and video clips from each event. Bandai America Incorporated, the official toy licensee for Ben 10, will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the U.S. premiere in Los Angeles, California. These events around the world, combined with a comprehensive marketing campaign promise to make this the most extensive global launch in Cartoon Network history.

Ben 10: Alien Swarm is directed and executive-produced by Alex Winter, who also directed Cartoon Network’s first Ben 10 live-action movie, Ben 10: Race Against Time, which scored over 13 million viewers during its Thanksgiving weekend premiere in 2007. The new movie follows Ben as he breaks ranks from the Plumbers (a secret organization that battles alien forces) to help Elena, a mysterious young woman from his past, uncover an alien threat to our world.

Ryan Kelley (Prayers for Bobby) stars in the coveted role of 16-year-old Ben Tennyson, with industry veteran Barry Corbin (No Country for Old Men) starring as Grandpa Max. Galadriel Stineman (Junkyard Dog) is Gwen, Ben’s super-powered cousin, and Nathan Keyes plays Kevin Levin, who has joined Ben’s team for the good of the universe, but still seems to have a scheming side. Alyssa Diaz (Red Dawn) plays Elena, a long-time friend of Ben. Elena’s search for her father leads the group into an adventure to stop an alien threat from destroying the world.

The Ben 10 Alien Force animated television series currently premieres new episodes on Cartoon Network Friday nights at 8:30 p.m. (ET, PT) with replays throughout the week. Ben 10: Alien Swarm will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray Disc domestically in December through Warner Home Video.

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Ok, so being a hero isn’t as easy as it looks, but mercilessly slaughtering people is something that will come all too naturally to Daken, son of Wolverine, in Dark Wolverine #80!

Red-hot scribes Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu join rising star artist Stephen Segovia to deliver the last thrilling issue of this chapter in Wolverine’s son’s life! Norman Osborn’s publicity stunt fails miserably and Daken is more than happy to clean up the mess – by creating an even bloodier one! How does Daken pay back the upstart villains that beat him to within an inch of his life? He’s gonna teach ‘em that their egos just wrote cheques their bodies can’t cash! Be sure to catch the stunning variant cover by Young Guns artist Stefano Caselli!

Everyone is raving about Way and Liu’s Dark Wolverine:

“[Daken] is an interesting character. He's manipulative, sarcastic, poetic, and has the strength of his father. Way's dialogue is very enticing.” – Ryan Goulet, Comicsbulletin.com

“Way and Liu develop a wonderful satirical attitude for Daken that enhances the quality of this character.” – Frank Stapleton, BrokenFrontier.com

“Of all the Dark Reign storylines at the moment, Dark Wolverine is the one I am enjoying the most.” – Antony Ellis, thecomicaddiction.com

Marvel urges retailers to check all orders of Dark Wolverine as the series continues to be lauded by fans and critics alike! Just whose side is Daken really on? Find out all the answers in the full-throttle Dark Wolverine #80!

DARK WOLVERINE #80 (SEP090479)
DARK WOLVERINE #80 CASELLI VARIANT (SEP090480)
Written by MARJORIE LIU & DANIEL WAY
Penciled by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover by GREG LAND
Young Guns Variant by STEFANO CASELLI
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC – 11/5/09, On Sale 11/25/09

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Manhattan Beach’s
The Comic Bug Hosts Hero Initiative Membership Party
Tim Sale appears as special guest

Acclaimed artist Tim Sale (Superman For all Seasons, Spider-Man: Blue ) will be at partying with comic fans and the Hero Initiative at Hero’s first-ever in-store membership party! The party takes place at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, California, October 6th from 7pm to 10pm.

Partygoers who pay a mere $25 will get:
• 2010 Hero Initiative bronze membership, a $29 value
• A Tim Sale print made especially for the event
• 50% off EVERYTHING in the store!!
• Complimentary food and drink

All monies raised at the evening’s festivities will benefit Hero Initiative, the charity that helps comic book creators in medical or financial need.

Sale’s visit to The Comic Bug will be his first. “I'm really looking forward to finally getting to visit Comic Bug, a comic book store that I have heard such great things about for years now,” he said. “And I am always happy to work for Hero Initiative’s great people and great cause, working hard to take care of comic creators who can't take care of themselves. Now where are my pencils?!"

Tim Sale will be signing autographs for everyone and doing sketches for the first 10 people only who upgrade to become Hero Initiative Silver members at $99. Tim usually charges $150 for sketches at conventions, so this is a smoking deal!

“We've hosted several events in conjunction with The Hero Initiative before and November's event is one of the more ambitious and certainly most exciting,” said The Comic Bug’s Mike Wellman. “It's nice to know that the good times we'll be having are going to have a direct, beneficial effect on comic creators that desperately need help. We're honored that Tim Sale is donating time from his hectic schedule to share his immense talent with us all!”

The Comic Bug is located at 1807 ½ Manhattan Beach Blvd., in Manhattan Beach, CA. They’re reachable by phone at 310-372-6704, or on the Web at TheComicBug.com

And if you just can’t make it, please check out Hero’s membership information at http://www.heroinitiative.org/Content.asp?Id=43

BRONZE $29
You get:
• Personalized membership card
• Quarterly newsletter
• A copy of the Hero Initiative Marvel Apes #1 variant
• Hero Initiative sketch card from a randomly selected artist! Artists include: Chris Bachalo, Dan Brereton, Mike Deodato, Scott Koblish, Mike Mayhew, Mike Perkins, Joe Quesada, Humberto Ramos, Tone Rodriguez, John Romita Sr., Leinil Yu and MORE!

SILVER $99
You get ALL the above, PLUS:
• A NEW 2010 Hero Initiative T-shirt
• A copy of The Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project
• “First in Line” and special members-only signings at select 2010 conventions

EXCELSIOR! $500
You get ALL the above, PLUS:
• A $50 gift card for Sideshow Collectibles
• Your flat item signed and personalized by Stan Lee!

Returning 2009 members will get a members-only discount off the prices listed above IF YOU RENEW BEFORE JANUARY 1st 2010. So if you haven’t signed up yet, do so today to guarantee your savings for the future! Read more...

The holidays are quickly approaching and Toy2R has some surprisesin store on the sleigh...

Here is the teaser for the very limited edition Bossy Bear & Friends: Milk and Cookies Guardians Edition - just in time to get them under the tree for that bossy fan. David Horvath has created a unique holiday edition for fans of Bossy Bear and now you need not worry about a lump of coal!

This collection will feature Bossy Bear, Turtle and Crocadoca in holiday themed colors and a very special version of Bossy Bear to keep a look out for. Toy2R will be releasing images very soon...

SRP $16.99 each / Limited Run Edition

How does one get these fast and furious stocking stuffers? In the US - the figures will be distributed by APEX Trading Company (http://www.apex-z.com/contact) - email them at theapex@apex-z.com as they will be shipping close to Thanksgiving - just in time to add to the holiday shopping fun!

Time to check that list and add Bossy Bear & Friends to it!

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The most hotly anticipated motion comic of the season is here, as Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic Episode 1 is now available on iTunes!

Based on the award-winning story by superstars Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Captain America), the X-Men are faced with a mysterious new villain and a possible cure for the mutant gene! Now Cyclops, Wolverine and all your favorite mutants must face the greatest threats of their lives and, before it’s all done, experience one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Marvel history! What are you waiting for? CLICK HERE to purchase the first episode now!

Marvel is also proud to present MarvelFest NYC 2009 at 6pm tonight, an all-new interactive outdoor experience in New York City to celebrate the iTunes release of the groundbreaking Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic! This landmark first episode will be projected three stories high so that fans can experience the adventure like never before! Join celebrities and the biggest names in Marvel history to commemorate the Astonishing X-Men premiere with a costume contest, giveaways and more! For complete details and official costume contest rules regarding MarvelFest NYC 2009 please visit www.marvel.com/fest.

Don’t miss a single episode of the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic-- subscribe to a season pass, available on iTunes, by clicking HERE!

For more information on motion comics please visit Marvel.com at www.marvel.com/motioncomics