STARTING IN APRIL, GOBO, MOKEY, RED, WEMBLEY AND BOOBER STAR IN ALL-NEW
ADVENTURES, HIGHLIGHTED BY THE ‘MOUSE GUARD’/ ‘FRAGGLE ROCK’
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY FLIP BOOK IN MAY!
The Jim Henson Company and Archaia announced today that their first Fraggle Rock comic book miniseries makes its anxiously awaited debut in comic book shops this
April. Issue #1 (of 3) will be available for pre-order in the February issue of Previews, and its debut will be followed by the release of Archaia’s Free Comic Book Day flip book, featuring Fraggle Rock and Mouse Guard, available for free on May 1, 2010. The announcement is the latest in the recent resurgence of “Fraggle Rock” licensing programs across all platforms and media that has included apparel, jewelry,
plush and DVDs.
“All of us at Archaia are so proud of how Fraggle Rock is turning out,” said Stephen Christy, Director of Development for Archaia. “We’re taking a lot of unique approaches with this series, from launching it in our popular 8” x 8” Mouse Guard format to bringing in incredibly talented indie creators such as Jeffrey
Brown, creator of Incredible Change-Bots, and Jeremy Love, creator of Bayou, to share their visions of this classic Jim Henson Company creation. We’re working very hard to make sure this book is a fresh take for fans of the show and will also appeal to new audiences, and I’m excited that readers will be able to fully dive into the world of Fraggle Rock with issue #1 in April and our Free Comic Book Day special in May!”
“‘Fraggle Rock’ has devoted fans who have told us they want more adventures from Gobo and the gang and we know Archaia is the perfect partner to tell these new stories,” said Melissa Segal, The Jim Henson Company’s Sr. Vice President, Global Consumer Products. “With exceptional attention to detail and excellent storytelling, Archaia is especially suited to introduce Fraggles to young readers who may be
meeting these characters and their fantastical world for the first time.”
“Fraggle Rock” began as a children’s television series launched by Jim Henson in 1983 about an imaginary, colorful and fun world comprised of creatures called Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs. The series focused on one group of Fraggles in particular: Gobo, Mokey, Red, Wembley and Boober, a very close group of friends, each member having their own unique personality. The show ran for four seasons and
became an international award-winning sensation. More than 25 years later, “Fraggle Rock” fans continue to celebrate and support the brand which continues to boast a strong following around the world and successful merchandising programs, including a recent series DVD release and the new Fraggle Rock Forever line of designer apparel and jewelry.
The Fraggle Rock comic book series closely follows the themes and tone set forth in the original television program and will be accessible not only to fans who grew up watching the show, but to a new generation of readers as well. Each Fraggle Rock issue features one main story and two back-up tales written and drawn by some of the most imaginative creators in comics. Issue #1 (full color, 32 pages, 8” x 8”, $3.95, Diamond Order Code FEB10 0672) contains contributions from Jeffrey Brown (Incredible
Change-Bots), Katie Cook (MySpace Dark Horse Presents) and newcomers Jeff Stokely and Heather White. (There are two covers for issue #1, to be distributed in a 75/25 split. The main cover is by Jeff Stokely and Lizzy John, and the chase cover is by Jeffrey Brown.)
Upcoming issues will feature works by Adrianne Ambrose, Heidi Arnhold (Legends of The Dark Crystal), Ross Cambell (Wet Moon), Joanna Estep (Roadsong), Jake Forbes (Return to Labyrinth), Sam Humphries, Neil Kleid (Brownsville), Chris Lie (Return to Labyrinth), Jeremy Love (Bayou) and Grace Randolph (Muppet Peter Pan).
Additionally, each comic will contain fun activity pages for kids, such as games, puzzles and arts and crafts projects so that a new generation of fans can further immerse themselves into the fantastic world of “Fraggle Rock.”
Following the release of Fraggle Rock #1, Archaia’s Free Comic Book Day flip book, featuring all-new Fraggle Rock and Mouse Guard tales, will be distributed for FREE at comic book shops on May 1, 2010.
Visit http://freecomicbookday.com for more information and to find the nearest participating retailer near you.
Archaia and The Jim Henson Company are also partnering on Dark Crystal and Labyrinth mini-series for release later in 2010.
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Great Entry Point For New Readers!
Three stories. Three distinctive artists.
The first year of IRREDEEMABLE will come to a cataclysmic resolution, and before the jaw-dropping second year starts, Mark Waid is delivering an original stand-alone issue! Join the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN team of Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta, Waid’s STRANGE artist Emma Rios and legendary comics creator Howard Chaykin for the IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1!
IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1 will feature three stories, all written by Waid, but featuring art by Chaykin, Azaceta and hot newcomer Emma Rios. Glimpse into the Plutonian's heroic beginnings and insights into his former teammates, the once-great Paradigm! Secrets will be revealed! Clues will be given! Threads will be tied up! This is a not-to-be-missed chapter in Mark Waid's twilight of the superheroes masterpiece!
“We’ve got a monster line up for the IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1 and it’s developing into one of BOOM!’s most dynamic singles issues for the beginning of 2010,” said Managing Editor Matt Gagnon. “Mark and Pete are turning in career-defining work on IRREDEEMABLE, and I know readers will enjoy seeing 3 of my favorite artists contribute to this world as much as I am!”
“IRREDEEMABLE is one of the best comics on the market today,” said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “This Special is a great entry point for readers that have yet to experience BOOM!’s break-out hit series. Look, you can’t beat seeing the IRREDEEMABLE world rendered by Chaykin, Azaceta and Rios. One thing is for sure, fans will love IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1!”
This April will see the regular IRREDEEMABLE series skip a month with IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1 shipping in its place. The IRREDEMABLE series will resume with issue #12 in May.
IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1 is written by Mark Waid with interior art by Howard Chaykin, Paul Azaceta and Emma Rios. This special issue ships with two covers by Paul Azaceta and Dan Panosian in a 50/50 split, a 1-in-10 incentive cover featuring art by Jeffrey Spokes and carries a Diamond Code of FEB100758.
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Matty took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions.
1) With Battlecat and He-Man having the Classics treatment, would you consider doing a Mattycollector.com 2 Pack with them?
It is possible in a movie year especially if we brought MOTUC to retail. As of right now though, we are looking to to fill all available SKUs with new figures.
2) With Adora selling out in record time, will Mattel consider adding more POP characters for 2010?
The line is pretty well locked down through 2011 regardless of how well Adora or any other figures sell. Change could always happen, but we’ve got a pretty good roadmap in place for the next two years with tentative plans beyond that.
3) Would it be possible for you to sell the Wal-Mart or Target Exclusives on Mattycollector.com, or would it infringe on your agreement with them?
Possibly yes, but likely no. Since these toys have already been at market it is doubtful we could sell enough additional units to hit our minimum order to keep the price low. (The fewer we make, the more we have to charge). We know there are a handful of fans still looking for retail exclusives, but based on the sale of other DCU items on MattyCollector.com the market is just not big enough to support this.
4) With the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, can we expect to see a lot more from Mattel for the celebration? Any hints?
All DCU items in 2010 will be themed for the 75th anniversary and we have a really big surprise for the end of the year as well as at SDCC!
5) Would the Black Lantern character been something Mattel would NOT want to produce, due to the graphic nature of them
Not at all. We’d love to do Black Lanterns. It takes 12-16 months to go from concept to shelf so don’t expect anything sooner then spring 2011.
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