Thursday, March 25, 2010

COMIC NEWS: Marvel Announces IRON MAN: EXTREMIS Motion Comic!

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MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION BRINGS IRON MAN TO LIFE IN GROUNDBREAKING STORY FROM WARREN ELLIS & ADI GRANOV



Marvel Knights Animation (www.marvel.com) is proud to announce their newest motion comic epic: Iron Man: Extremis, available April 16th! Adapting the critically-acclaimed storyline by superstars Warren Ellis and Adi Granov, Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man) faces his greatest threat ever—a terrorist transformed into an unstoppable force with the powerful bio-engineered Extremis super-soldier serum! Now Tony Stark redefines Iron Man’s mission for the 21st century, setting the Armored Avenger on a new direction that’ll alter his life forever…if he can find a way to defeat a modern day nightmare! Featuring groundbreaking animation and special effects never before seen in a motion comic, Iron Man: Extremis will leave your jaws on the floor! Each of the six episodes are only $1.99, with an extra sized premiere running nearly 20 minutes long, and a can’t miss season pass priced at $9.99! Iron Man: Extremis will be available for download on iTunes, Zune, and Xbox, with new episodes available bi-weekly through June.

“Iron Man: Extremis is one of the pre-eminent Iron Man stories, thanks to the amazing work of Warren Ellis and Adi Granov,” explained Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. “Just as the Iron Man: Extremis comic book forever changed how we see Iron Man, the motion comic adaptation represents the next evolution of the medium.”

The worldwide leader in bringing super heroes to life, Marvel redefined the motion comic medium with their first two releases—Spider-Woman (from Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev) and Astonishing X-Men (from Joss Whedon & John Cassaday). Staying true to their source material, Marvel Motion Comics utilize each story’s original art and scripts while adding seamless motion, dynamic voice acting, and stunning special effects to deliver a whole new way to experience some of the greatest storylines in Marvel Comics’ history.

“Having the chance to work on something created by Adi and Warren has been a dream come true,” exclaims Ruwan Jayatilleke, Marvel Senior Vice President, Development & Planning, Print, Animation and Digital Media explained, “As the lead producer on this motion comic, I am thrilled with all the effort and energy that Magnetic Dreams, Edge Studio, Underground Music, and NYAV have thrown into this project—creating an incredibly compelling series of animated content! I don’t want to give away any of the surprises, but once you see Tony Stark suit up and Iron Man take flight, you’ll know just why I am so excited.”

You can get your first look at the Iron Man: Extremis right now at www.marvel.com/extremis

Please note that Iron Man: Extremis is intended for mature audiences only.

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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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CONVENTION NEWS: Top Cow at WonderCon

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JOIN THE HERD AT THREE DAY COMIC AND POP CULTURE EVENT IN SAN FRANCISCO



Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that they will be joining Image Comics at WonderCon 2010. The three-day event will open to the public on Friday afternoon, April 2nd and run through Sunday, April 4th, at the Moscone Center South. Fans are encouraged to stop by the Image Comics booth (#407) to meet their favorite creators and shop for limited edition convention exclusives as well as their favorite Top Cow comics.

Among the creators appearing at the booth will be pencilers Michael Broussard (The Darkness, Artifacts), Nelson Blake II (Pilot Season: Murderer, Magdalena), Sheldon Mitchell (Pilot Season: Stealth, Witchblade Annual) and inker Rick Basaldua (Witchblade Annual). Stop by the Image Comics (#407) booth for signing times.

WonderCon 2010 kicks off at noon on Friday, April 2nd and runs to 7PM. The convention will be open Saturday, April 3rd from 10AM to 7PM and Sunday, April 4th from 10AM to 5PM.

About Top Cow Productions Inc.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. A feature film, co-produced by Platinum Studios, Inc. and Arclight Films, is slated to begin production in Australia with director Michael Rymer. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.
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COMIC NEWS: I AM A MEMBER OF THE GUARDIANS OF THE GLOBE

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COMIC REVIEW: The Killer Vol. 2 (Archaia)

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Killers are everywhere. Some of my favorite stories are about those who have dedicated their existence to wiping others off the face of the earth (see Kill Bill, Kick-Ass, and The Professional). And now I add Archaia's The Killer to that list. Matz and artist Luc Jacamon have crafted a story that incorporates stealthy action and emotional depth, along with beautifully complementary artwork.

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This is the second volume of the title and collects three parts: The Debt, Blood Ties, and The Killer Instinct. Each follows the Killer through a complex job that includes working with Colombians, living with his girl, and making new alliances. Part inner monologue, part Luc Besson flick, Matz's writing keeps you engaged as the Killer sets up his jobs, travels from exotic locations to Paris, and learns the importance of human connection. I was impressed with this story. As much as I enjoy action-driven books, it's refreshing to read a book that has a lot of action but also has a lot of substance.

Luc Jacamon's art is beautiful. I knew I was going to like this book when I saw the title pages introducing each part. When you see them you almost expect words to flash across the page like "Paradise! Action! Romance! Intrigue!" Jacamon skillfully draws conversations as well as action sequences, which is a feat many artists cannot achieve. The lush colors switch between dynamic and monochromatic to set the mood for each part of the story.

This is a truly gorgeous book in word and in art. Pick up this beautiful book, and while you're at it, pick up a copy for a friend who doesn't read comics. Chances are, this Archaia book could be the book that converts him or her to the medium. (And Hollywood, if you're listening--option this book. It would make a fantastic film.)

Stacey Rader
Review Editor
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