Tuesday, March 30, 2010

CONVENTION NEWS: Dark Horse WonderCon Signing Schedule Announced!

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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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COMIC NEWS: A MAMMOTH SPECIAL ISSUE

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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.

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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 NEWS: Archaia Announces 'Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard'

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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.

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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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BOOK NEWS: Tor Books and CCP Games announce release of EVE novel!

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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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TOY NEWS: The Roots of Evil

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Resident Evil Archives Makes the Classics New Again!



Series 2 features Jill Valentine, Hunter and a Labcoat Zombie!

Capcom's original Resident Evil might be the greatest horror game of all time. It's a cultural milestone -- the one that started it all. In June 2009, Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil was released on Nintendo Wii, and as more landmark RE titles are set for release this Fall, NECA is proud to present this collection of classic characters with improved decoration detail in Resident Evil Archives Series 2!

Jill Valentine is among the most memorable videogame heroines, and she appears in two different versions in Series 2, along with a vicious mutant Hunter and -- because you always need one -- a zombie in a labcoat (or, as we like to call him, Labcoat Zombie! These icons all come with multiple accessories and articulation and deluxue packaging with a display stand, and are on a zombie-blasting/brain-eating 7" scale

Resident Evil Archives Series 2 is available for preorders now. They'll be hitting shelves in May and of course will be featured on our Amazon storefront.

Keep it tuned to necaonline.com for more info on Resident Evil and other lines from your favorite games and movies.

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TV REVIEW: THE CLONE WARS "CAT AND MOUSE"

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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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COMIC NEWS: Marvel Comics On-Sale 3/31/10

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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

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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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COMIC REVIEW: The A-Team: War Stories: B.A. (IDW)

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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.

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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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