Well, it's April Fool's Day & Mattel decided to have some fun the Q&A this time around.We at Pendragon's Post are not amused at all.
1. Toyguru and Matty confirmed several times that the hyper-stylized, so called 'anime" look of the 200X figures, should be retired for good. And also that POP/NA/200X figures that didn't have an action figure in the '80s MOTU line would be introduced in MOTUC, sculpted in the same way as if the figure was going to be made in the '80s but with added detail and improved articulation. However She-Ra and Count Marzo were sculpted with static body parts that are entirely reminiscent of the 200X line and NECA statues (windblown hair for both and windblown cape for Marzo). This is a very modern approach to action figure sculpting that didn't even exist in the '80s. Although it might make head movement easier it actually limits pose-ability in the sense that the figures can only be posed in display settings that allow for blowing wind (it's impossible to place them in settings like the indoors of Castle Grayskull or Royal Palace where there is supposed to be no wind). Online polls done on the Mattycollector forums show that collectors would prefer "vintage style" neutrally positioned hair and capes. Why have Mattel and/or the Four Horsemen opted for such a modern approach for these two figures, in a line that is supposed to be strictly classic?
As I see it yes.
2. We know you can't comment on specific characters that haven't been announced, but are "civilian" "historical" DC characters like Sgt. Rock or Jonah Hex being considered for a DCU treatment?
My sources say no.
3. On Mattycollector.com, you explained what the status descriptions meant, but you forgot one. Can you explain when it says "Currently Unavailable"?
Reply hazy try again.
4. With all the constant problem there are every month with Digital River, are you looking into change to another provider?
Cannot predict now.
5. Back to the Walmart issue, you keep saying Mattycollector is listening to the fans. But doing another wave exclusive to a store that has proven time & time again that they don't care about the DCU line, doesn't seem like you are listening to the fans. The fans are frustrated & just about had it with Walmart Waves. We do not want another exclusive wave. We want all waves available everywhere.
Yes.
We'll keep trying to get some real answers for these questions.
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Cowboy Ninja Viking gets collected in April
COWBOY NINJA VIKING, written by AJ Lieberman and drawn by Riley Rossmo gets it first collection in April with 160 full-color pages of story and never-before-seen material!
The COWBOY NINJA VIKING trade paperback collects issues 1-5 and features 30 pages of brand new material, including the original pitch for the book, a script for an alternate version of the series, unused cover art, and pinups by Nathan Fox (Fluorescent Black), Dean Trippe (Comic Book Tattoo), and Christian Ward (Olympus).
Lieberman promises, "If ever there was time a reader who has been debating whether or not to jump on the bandwagon of insanity and mayhem that is Cowboy Ninja Viking, the time to leap has come with the release of our first TPB collecting issues #1-5 (plus 30 pages of extras) all for $16.99! Still not sure? We'll toss in a free index!"
COWBOY NINJA VIKING is the creation of Doctor Sebastian Ghislain, a psychotherapist who recruits Multiple Personality Disorder patients to produce a unit of counter-intelligence agents called Triplets. But what happens when Triplets become out-of-control assassins? That's when the deadliest Triplet of them all, COWBOY NINJA VIKING, is called in to take down his own brethren.
COWBOY NIJA VIKING TP (FEB100353), a full-color 160-page trade collecting issues 1-5 and featuring all new material, will be in stores April 21, 2010. Issue #1 can be viewed in the online comics section of www.imagecomics.com.
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 four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, 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.
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Dragon Age: Origins was one of the major videogame hits in 2009, a brand new franchise in an original fantasy setting from legendary RPG developer Bioware. The setting, the continent of Thedas, is rich with potential for storytelling in multiple media, far more than can be contained in any single comic series, novel, or videogame. I was thrilled to hear that IDW, publisher of some of my favorite current comics (such as G.I. Joe: Cobra) had the comic license, and I couldn't wait to read the first issue. Unfortunately, Dragon Age 1 met only one expectation; that video game tie-ins are a bad idea. 
What went wrong with this comic? Everything, that's what. First of all, aside from the following words - Chantry, Templar, Circle of Mages, Ferelden, Hurlock, Blood Mage - there was nothing that made this comic feel like it belonged in the Dragon Age world. Names and terms are window dressing, and in this comic, I'm frankly not entirely sure that the writers know what they mean or what some of the Dragon Age types, specifically blood mages and hurlocks...are actually capable of. Templars, in this comic, are a one note "all mages should just probably be executed" stereotype. The religion of Dragon Age...the fact that the actions of mages led to a perpetually vengeful, absentee deity...is ripe with complex storytelling possibility. Instead, what superstar writers Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston give us is a tired cliche about forbidden love (or lust) between two characters who are given zero motivation and zero development.
What do I mean by this? I would say that if you've played Dragon Age, really thoroughly explored its setting and know the world, and you drew up a list of "most cliched stories we can tell in this setting," love between a Templar and a Mage would be very high on the list, yes? I know it would be for me. Probably tops, in fact. And that's the story we're told. Characters who act without any apparent motivation are poor characters, period. When they act without motivation in a tired, cliched story...and are clearly doing what they are doing simply because the plot demands they do it...that's bad writing. Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston are not bad writers; Card has written some genuine classics. What happened here? I don't know. I do know that our main characters in this first issue...Sadatt and Veness...have no reason to fall for each other. None. I know that we know nothing about them except one is a Mage, one is a Templar, and they have a relationship because that's the story. We know nothing about their personalities. It's entirely possible they engage on their relationship based on adolescent hormones; great stories have been told that way (e.g., Romeo and Juliet) but this isn't one of them.
In the comic medium, great art can save a mediocre or even a bad story. But this art, by Mark Robinson, is so heavily stylized that I simply cannot stand it. In some panels, characters have no mouths. And I don't mean background characters. I mean characters in the foreground. Who are speaking. From behind a featureless wall of flesh, apparently. This is a problem for me. I also find the lack of visual continuity from one panel to another very distracting. In one panel, a character on horseback has a torch in one hand and the reins of his horse in the other. Next panel, the reins of his horse are tied around the scabbard of his sword, which would be distractingly dumb even if it didn't contradict what I just saw. When characters do have mouths, they are capable of two expressions; sneer and surprise. Mostly sneer. The swordplay is incredibly static and lackluster, as is the magic, which apparently always occurs in giant swooshy loops, instead of the balls, clouds, bolts, clouds, or bursts that happen in the game.
I cannot recommend this comic for anyone. I consider myself, honestly, as big a Dragon Age fan as there is; I've played the game to completion 4 times (and am still playing it). I've voraciously read its entire Codex. I'd bought every piece of DLC, would love to play the RPG, and plan to read the novel tie ins. This comic isn't a good comic or a good Dragon Age comic. You'll have to be a more devoted fan than me to love it.
Dan Ford
Staff Reviewer
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Fanboy-themed stand-up show at the best comic book store in the world: Meltdown Comics.
All-Fanboy Stand-Up comedy at Meltdown Comics on Friday, April 2nd. "Comics And Comics" (featured on NPR) brings the geekiest stand-up show in the world to the world's best comic book store (http://www.meltcomics.com)!
FEATURING:
Angelo Bowers
Ed Greer
S.A.X.
Jackie Kashian
Blaine Capatch
Tom Franck
Free Cane Sugar Soda Bar with $4 admission.
A new "But Let's Face It"
Meltdown Comics
7522 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90046
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Image Comics announces its WonderCon 2010 lineup
Image Comics is bringing wonder back to WonderCon, April 2-4, 2010. Fans will have a chance to meet Jonathan Ross, the entire Man of Action crew, and pick up convention exclusives at booth #407!
An exclusive creator's edition of TURF #1 will be available at booth #407, and writer Jonathan Ross - popular UK television host and patron of cult entertainment - will be on hand for autograph sessions Saturday and Sunday. You won't be able to find this edition of TURF #1 anywhere else unless you make your way to Forbidden Planet in the UK!
When you visit the Image booth, you'll find Man of Action - Joe Casey (Godland), Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants), Duncan Rouleau (The Great Unknown), and Steve Seagle (Soul Kiss, The Crusades) - the creators of BEN 10 and the upcoming Cartoon Network series GENERATOR REX. We'll also be joined by ELEPHANTMEN creators Richard Starkings and Moritat, JERSEY GODS creator Glen Brunswick, and SAVAGE DRAGON auteur Erik Larsen! Top Cow creators Sheldon Mitchell (Pilot Season: Stealth), Michael Broussard (The Darkness, Artifacts), Rick Basaldua and Nelson Blake II (Witchblade) will also appear.
PANELS
SATURDAY, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Room 104 - The Image Comics Show
Image kicks off their hometown show with a slate of exclusive announcements featuring some of your favorite creators, including WonderCon special guest Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, New Ultimates), who will discuss his all-new series, and Savage Dragon's own Erik Larsen, who will reveal new artwork from an upcoming project! Find out the next word on what Image has in store for 2010, including never-before-revealed news and art from Walking Dead, Spawn, Turf, Chew, Choker, Haunt and more!
AUTOGRAPHS
SATURDAY, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Booth #407
Jonathan Ross
SATURDAY, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Booth #407
Frank Cho
SUNDAY, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Booth #407
Jonathan Ross
OTHER EVENTS
SATURDAY, 8:00 p.m. Comix Experience 21st Anniversary Party
Comix Experience is extremely proud to celebrate its 21st anniversary, and youre invited! CE:21 is a benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for the comics community. Featuring the El Toyanese Taco Truck, sponsored by Image Comics, and delicious beer courtesy of 21st Amendment Brewery! Attendees who contribute to the CBLDF will receive a goodie bag filled with incredible items from various comics publishers (while supplies last). There will also be an art auction to benefit the CBLDF. Comix Experience is located at 305 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94117.
Don't miss Image Comics at WonderCon 2010, booth 407!
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 four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, 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.
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Comic Based On Hit Game By EA
Written By Sci-Fi Great Orson Scott Card
Available In North American Stores and Digital Download
BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and IDW Publishing today announced the launch of Dragon Age™, the comic book series, based on the critically acclaimed BioWare-developed video game Dragon Age: Origins. Dragon Age, the comic book series is now available at comic book stores throughout North America, as well as in digital format for mobile devices such as Apple’s iPhone™ and iPod touch® through the iTunes® App Store®, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Digital Comics system. Written by award-winning science-fiction author Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game, Ultimate Iron Man), the issue ranked among the top 20 paid book apps for the iTunes App Store within hours of its release. A preveiw of Dragon Age #1 is available here.
Dragon Age #1 will take readers to Thedas, a world where war has ravaged the land and mages once ruled through their mastery of dark arts and forbidden spells. Their lust for power nearly destroyed all existence when they unleashed the darkspawn, an unholy pestilence bent on the destruction of all life. Today, magic is carefully controlled, and rogue mages are hunted and put down with ruthless efficiency. These dangerous arts are taught only within the confines of the prison-like Circle of Magi, and monitored by the ever-vigilant Templars. Against this grim backdrop, a new generation of Mages must become masters, defy the Templars, and face a foe determined to bring about the annihilation of the world.
The Dragon Age comic book series also features other renowned writers and artists, including writer Aaron Johnston (Ender’s Game: Mazer in Prison), breakout artist Mark Robinson (Skrull Kill Krew), and renowned cover artist Humberto Ramos.
Six issues are planned for the Dragon Age comic book series.
Please visit idwpublishing.com for more information about the Dragon Age comic book series, unique “behind the scenes” content, news, blogs, and art.
For more information on Dragon Age: Origins the video game, please visit www.dragonage.com.
About BioWare
BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur's Gate™, Neverwinter Nights™, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™, Jade Empire™ and Mass Effect™. BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec) and Austin (Texas). BioWare’s announced projects include the dark heroic fantasy game Dragon Age: Origins, as well as Mass Effect™ 2, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com; to join the millions of fans already registered on our community, go to http://social.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.. iTunes, App Store and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. “PlayStation” and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics and ComicMix.
IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
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Dark Horse Comics -- Booth #525
2010 Signing Schedule!
FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND:
4:00 – 5:00 Fear Agent - Writer Rick Remender
5:00 – 6:00 Aliens Vs. Predator - Writer Randy Stradley
SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD:
1:00 – 2:00 Star Wars: Purge - Writer Haden Blackman
3:00 – 4:00 The Escapists – Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Michael Chabon
5:00 – 6:00 Aliens Vs. Predator – Writer Randy Stradley
SUNDAY, APRIL 4TH:
12:00 – 1:00 Beanworld – Creator Larry Marder
2:00 – 3:00 Emily the Strange – Creator Rob Reger
AND CHECK OUT THESE PANELS!
FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND: The Official Dark Horse Comics Panel! 2:00 – 3:00 ROOM 103
SUNDAY, APRIL 4th: Emily the Strange! 12:30 – 1:30 ROOM 220/224
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Some of the industry's best artists contribute to ELEPHANTMEN #25
Richard Starkings' ELEPHANTMEN turns 25 (issues, that is) in style! Each page of the issue is drawn by a profoundly talented guest artist, representing some of the best talent in comics.
The superstars contributing to ELEPHANTMEN #25 include (in order of appearance in the issue): Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), Moritat (Elephantmen, The Spirit), Gabriel Bautista (Popgun), Duncan Rouleau (Metal Men, The Great Unknown), Sheldon Vella (Kill Audio, Supertron), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Martha Washington), Dougie Braithwaite (Justice), Gary Erskine (Dan Dare), Steve Buccellato (Battle of the Bands), Whilce Portacio (Spawn, Image United), Ian Churchill (Hulk), Shaky Kane (The Bulletproof Coffin), Raul Trevino (Final Incal), Boo Cook (Judge Anderson), Paul Grist (Jack Staff), Ladr��(Final Incal), Marian Churchland (Beast), Andr頓zymanowicz (Sushi Nachos), David Hine (The Bulletproof Coffin, Strange Embrace), Chris Burnham (Nixon's Pals) and Aaron Kuder, Brandon Graham (King City), Dan McDaid (Jersey Gods), Tom Scioli (Godland), Pia Guerra (Y the Last Man), Axel Medellin (50 Girls 50), and Rob Steen (Flanimals).
ELEPHANTMEN #25: THE BIG PICTURE is told entirely in splash pages and chronicles the history of the Elephantmen from one mans point of view, making it a great jumping-on point for new readers!
ELEPHANTMEN #25 (DEC090405), a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores on April 21, 2010.
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 four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, 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.
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ARCHAIA SETS RELEASE FOR ‘MOUSE GUARD’ ANTHOLOGY MINISERIES,
‘LEGENDS OF THE GUARD’
TITLE DEBUTS IN MAY AND WILL FEATURE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DAVID PETERSEN, GENE HA, TERRY MOORE, TED NAIFEH AND MANY MORE
Answering the call of fans and retailers clamoring for more Mouse Guard stories, Archaia Entertainment proudly announced the launch of a new anthology miniseries, Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, featuring covers and chapter breaks written and drawn by creator David Petersen and contributions from popular comic writers and artists, including Gene Ha, Terry Moore, Ted Naifeh, Guy Davis, Sean Rubin, Mark Smylie, Craig Rousseau, Karl Kerschl, Katie Cook and Jeremy Bastian. Issue #1 (full color, 32 pages, 8” x 8”, $3.50, Diamond Order Code MAR10 0699) is available for pre-order now and will debut in comic book shops in May.
“It started with the excitement and pleasure I had when Jeremy Bastian and Mark Smylie did their pinups for Volume 1 of Mouse Guard,” explained Petersen about the genesis of Legends of the Guard. “Jeremy and Mark really got the feel of Mouse Guard, and knowing them and their storytelling work, I invited them to do a story anytime they liked. As more and more pinups came in and the series gained fans among professionals I admired, the list of people who I thought were a good fit and would be willing to do a Mouse Guard story grew. Archaia also liked the idea, so with list in hand, we started setting up the book.”
“I have such a deep admiration for Mouse Guard, which is why I decided to publish it in the first place several years ago,” expressed Archaia Publisher Mark Smylie (Artesia), whose contribution to the mini-series will appear in issue #4. “It’s an honor and a privilege for David to give me this opportunity to play in his sandbox.”
Legends of the Guard is set in a tavern in the Mouse Guard world, where a group of Guard Mice each take turns trying to spin the tallest tale. Petersen writes and draws the scenes set in the tavern, while contributions from each of the hand-picked creators will serves as the “tales.”
“These are some of my favorite storytellers, and I’m lucky enough to have them telling Mouse Guard stories,” beamed Petersen. “The quality of work coming in is amazing! I’m glad to see the range in artistic styles.”
“Some dismiss Mouse Guard as a children’s book—they fault the art and story for its simplicity. They need to give it another look!” said Gene Ha (Top 10, The Authority: The Lost Year), who contributes to a story in issue #2 (full color, 32 pages, 8” x 8”, $3.50, Diamond Order Code APR10 0733). “There’s a depth one rarely finds in an action story. David Petersen’s heroes never descend to glib jokes and supernatural fighting prowess. The mice must think, and there’s great pleasure guessing their thoughts. It is not a wordy book—the clues are laid out in his artful combination of dialogue and pictures.”
“Mouse Guard is one of the best things ever. I love the story, I love the characters and I LOVE David’s art,” offered Katie Cook, who is a favorite artist amongst “Star Wars” fans and is contributing to the third
issue. “What fan wouldn’t jump up at the chance to officially play around in the amazing Mouse Guard world that David has created?”
David Petersen also writes and draws an 11-page, original Mouse Guard story in Archaia’s Free Comic Book Day issue, the Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock flip book, available for free in comic book shops on May 1, 2010. In September, Petersen will launch Mouse Guard Vol. 3: The Black Axe, a six-issue series.
About Archaia
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including the popular Eisner Award-winning title Mouse Guard, as well as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, The Killer, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions of Titanium Rain; Tumor; The God Machine; The Jim Henson Company library; and Mr. Murder Is Dead and Lucid with Before the Door Pictures, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content.
For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/archaiacomics), MySpace (myspace.com/archaiacomics) and Twitter (twitter.com/archaiacomics).
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Tor Books announces the national launch of…
EVE: THE BURNING LIFE
By Hjalti Daníelsson
Epic space opera adventure set in the EVE Online universe from CCP Games’ Main Narrative Creator Hjalti Daníelsson
Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC—the largest publisher of science fiction in the world—and CCP Games are pleased to launch Hjalti Daníelsson’s grand new space opera set in the universe of EVE Online, PC Gamer’s 2009 Game of the Year and the second largest MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) gaming universe with over 330,000 active subscribers. EVE: THE BURNING LIFE (A Tor Trade Paperback Original; 0-7653-2529; List: $14.99) goes on-sale nationwide Tuesday, March 30th.
A grand hybrid of space opera and military science fiction, EVE: THE BURNING LIFE stands on its own for readers looking for a rich and vast new universe full of danger and adventure. For both fans and newcomers, the novel offers a unique vantage point into the many wondrous realms within the EVE gaming world. "EVE is a deep, dark, expansive world full of wonder and often quite breathtaking events,” said Daníelsson. “I've been telling stories in there for a few years now and am always amazed at how much the world has to offer. It's a very human, often very scary place."
Hjalti Daníelsson has worked on EVE Online since the beginning, and currently serves as CCP's main narrative creator for the harsh universe of New Eden, the setting for EVE Online. He is the author of more than eighty short stories set in the EVE Online universe, along with various other works. A visceral writer whose aggressive prose and grand operatic scope is reminiscent of Iain M. Banks and Joe Haldeman, Daníelsson’s literary talent and familiarity within the EVE universe make him the ideal candidate for a full-length novelization.
“The vast EVE universe is storied by the people who matter most, its players and fans,” said Eric Raab, Tor editor. “Our goal with the novels is to give not only EVE fans but science fiction fans in general, an exciting look into this great SF offering. THE BURNING LIFE takes us on an odyssey through worlds where the lines between good and evil have never been grayer.”
Set tens of thousands of years in the future, EVE Online is a breathtaking journey to the stars, to an immersive experience filled with adventure, riches, danger and glory. With over a 330,000 subscribers worldwide inhabiting the same virtual universe, EVE: Online boasts the largest, richest science fiction universe in gaming history, featuring a vast player-run economy and virtual professions ranging from commodities trader to mercenary, industrial entrepreneur to pirate, engineer to battle fleet commander, and much more.
About CCP Games
CCP is widely recognized as an industry-leading pioneer of the single-server persistent universe architecture as the developer and publisher of EVE Online, the critically-acclaimed, science fiction-based massively multiplayer online game (MMOG). Utilizing a cross-discipline approach combining cutting-edge technology and artistic excellence, CCP is dedicated to providing vibrant, compelling products that transcend the boundaries of conventional MMOGs and facilitate social networking through virtual worlds. Privately held and founded in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1997, CCP’s international reach now spans the globe with offices in Atlanta and Shanghai as well as a base of operations in London. More information about CCP is available at the company’s website, www.ccpgames.com.
About Tor Books
Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, is a New York-based publisher of hardcover and softcover books, founded in 1980 and committed (although not limited) to SF and fantasy literature. Between an extensive hardcover and trade-softcover line, an Orb backlist program, and a stronghold in mass-market paperback, Tor annually publishes what is arguably the largest and most diverse line of science fiction and fantasy ever produced by a single English-language publisher. Books from Tor have won every major award in the SF and fantasy fields, and for the last twenty-one years in a row the company has been named Best Publisher in the Locus Poll, the largest consumer poll in SF.
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The second season of Clone Wars continued Friday night in good form with the new episode "Cat and Mouse" which pits Anakin and Obi-Wan against a cunning new enemy, Admiral Trench. One of the great things about the series is that there is a kind of anthology vibe to the show as it jumps around in character focus, style and even time. 
"Cat and Mouse" feels a lot like a tense submarine thriller, along the lines of The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide, with Anakin, Admiral Yularen, and their clones in the dark and claustrophobic confines of a small stealth ship attempting to outmaneuver their better-armed opponent. While it doesn't have the awe factor of some of the better episodes this season, "Cat and Mouse" is a strong piece of Star Wars storytelling.
Continuity is a difficult thing to nail down in The Clone Wars, as episodes are not necessarily aired in their chronological order, although there is apparently some sort of timeline present. "Cat and Mouse" seems to represent the earliest events in the series and take place prior to the events in The Clone Wars theatrical movie with served as a pilot to the series and introduced us to Ahsoka and the Battle for Christophsis. Last season's episode "Traitor" was set immediately before the movie, and "Cat and Mouse" is set even before "Traitor."
This episode introduces us to a great new villain, Separatist Admiral Trench, a member of an arachnid species that I believe has not been seen in Star Wars before and who sounds like a cross between Darth Vader and John Rys-Davies. Like any villain who is worth his salt, Trench is smart and competent and the episode is built around his search for Anakin and the stealth ship. Since Anakin is also (tactically) smart and competent, it makes for an interesting story to see these two worthy adversaries take each other on. Trench is also built up nicely by the normally cool Yularen's fearful reaction to him based on a previous encounter. Sadly, it is almost entirely certain that Trench is killed off at the end of the episode. But since the series does jump around a lot in time, perhaps we can see an episode based around his first encounter with Yularen.
Speaking of Yularen, it was nice to see him off the bridge for once and that he was given something to do other than standing around and being uptight. Pairing him up with Anakin for a mission was a nice touch.
Overall, "Cat and Mouse" as a solid-if not spectacular-entry to The Clone Wars as season two races toward its conclusion next month. You can check the episode out online at starwars.com.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on March 31st, 2010.
For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://marvel.com/catalog/?date=2010-03-31 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 #627 (GNTLT)
CLOAK AND DAGGER #1
DARK WOLVERINE #84 (S)
DOOMWAR #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT
FANTASTIC FOUR #577
INCREDIBLE HULK #607 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FOTHS)
MARVEL PREVIEWS #80
NEW MUTANTS #11
PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #5
PUNISHER #15
PUNISHER MAX MGC #1
REALM OF KINGS: INHUMANS #5
SHE-HULK: SENSATIONAL
THUNDERBOLTS #141 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (S)
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #46
X-FORCE #25 (XN)
X-FORCE #25 CRAIN VARIANT (XN)
X-MEN FOREVER #20
X-MEN: SECOND COMING #1
X-MEN: SECOND COMING #1 FINCH VARIANT
Collections On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY JMS ULTIMATE COLLECTION: BOOK 3 TPB
CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER ULTIMATE COLLECTION TPB
ESSENTIAL RAMPAGING HULK VOL. 2 TPB
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3: WAR OF KINGS BOOK 2 TPB
IRON MAN & THE ARMOR WARS GN-TPB
IRON MAN: EXTREMIS HC MOVIE COVER
IRON MAN: EXTREMIS GRANOV COVER
IRON MAN: I AM IRON MAN! TPB
IRON MAN: TALES OF THE GOLDEN AVENGER GN-TPB
NOMAD: GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD GN-TPB
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z VOL. 13 PREMIERE HC
SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC BOOK 1 TPB
SPIN ANGELS PREMIERE HC
WOLVERINE ORIGINS: ROMULUS TPB
Posters On-Sale:
SIEGE BY JOE QUESADA POSTER
WOMEN OF MARVEL POSTER
*FOTHS= Fall of The Hulks tie-in
*GNTLT= Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet tie-in
*S= SIEGE tie-in
*XN= X-Necrosha tie-in
Marvel Entertainment, LLC. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com.
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It has been over 25 years since the A-team has premiered on television. The A-team has survived history through reruns. Coming soon to theaters is a new movie with new actors filling these roles of our childhood vigilante heroes. The A-teams premiers on the comic book shelves and in this issue B.A. Baracuss stars in his own story. 
This is a one shot story of our Mohawk wearing anti-hero, B.A. Baracus. This is the tale of his downfall as a soldier in the military. The story is simple and not to compacted for the reader. The story has just the right amount of violence and plot to cover the 32 pages. This is a great little story to tide a person over until the movie premier within the next few months.
The artwork is surprisingly good for this story, it is similar to the current G.I Joe artwork in their comic books. If you are a fan of IDW military stories you will not be let down by this short story of B.A. Baracus. There will be two covers on your local news stands. One will be a picture of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and the other will be a portrait drawing of him as B.A. Baracus.
Don’t watch reality television, read more books.
Chip Carroll
Staff Reviewer
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MAN OF ACTION, creators of BEN 10 and GENERATOR REX, to appear with Image Comics at WonderCon 2010
MAN OF ACTION, the creative collective behind the animated series BEN 10 and the upcoming Cartoon Network series GENERATOR REX, will be joining Image Comics for WonderCon 2010! All four members of MAN OF ACTION - Joe Casey, Steve Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and Joe Kelly - can be found at the Image Comics booth (#407) throughout the show. In addition, they will make several exclusive announcements of upcoming MOA projects to be published through Image.
"We're psyched to attend WonderCon -- all four Man of Action partners under one roof -- and we're looking forward to seeing everyone while we're camped out at the Image booth all weekend," says Joe Casey. "Let the madness begin!"
Individually, the partners of Man of Action have written, worked on or developed various popular comic book titles for Image, DC Comics and Marvel. Their creation of the mega-popular BEN 10 animated series has led directly to the new GENERATOR REX show, which is based on Image Comics' M. REX and will debut in late April on Cartoon Network.
Don't miss your chance to see all four members of Man of Action - Joe Casey, Steve Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and Joe Kelly - at Image Comics booth #407 during WonderCon 2010!
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 four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, 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.
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