RED FRAGGLE™ MAKES LIVE APPEARANCE ON FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
TO CELEBRATE RELEASE OF ARCHAIA’S
‘MOUSE GUARD/FRAGGLE ROCK’ FLIP BOOK
WRITER SAM HUMPHRIES AND ARTIST JEREMY LOVE ALSO ON HAND TO SIGN COPIES FOR FANS
To celebrate the release of its widely anticipated Free Comic Book Day flip book featuring fan-favorite properties Mouse Guard and Fraggle Rock™, Archaia is excited to announce RED FRAGGLE will make a live appearance on Free Comic Book Day (May 1, 2010) at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, Calif. to lead a short sing-along of favorite Fraggle Classics, take pictures with fans and sign comic books. Red and world-renowned puppeteer, KAREN PRELL, appear courtesy of The Jim Henson Company, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Archaia Entertainment and Meltdown Comics.
“This is such a nice treat for fans, and we couldn’t be happier to be able to work with the great folks at The Jim Henson Company, Lionsgate and Meltdown to make this possible,” said Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo. “Karen and Red’s appearance at San Diego Comic-Con was highly anticipated and well attended, so we’re excited for them to come to Los Angeles and share their special magic in celebration of the release of our Free Comic Book Day issue.”
Archaia’s Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock Free Comic Book Day flip book will feature a brand-new Fraggle Rock story by written by SAM HUMPHRIES (CBGB: The Comic Book) and drawn by Eisner Award-nominated artist JEREMY LOVE (Bayou). Humphries and Love will be on hand at Meltdown Comics with RED FRAGGLE to sign copies of the free comic for fans.
The pair join an already star-studded lineup between the covers of Archaia’s Free Comic Book Day flip book, which also features an original Mouse Guard story by David Petersen, and another never-before-seen Fraggle Rock story written by Nichol Ashworth and drawn by Jake Myler (Undertown).
In addition, Lionsgate Home Entertainment will display a collection of Fraggle Rock DVDs from the original series that started it all, including FRAGGLE ROCK: THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION, which includes the entire award-winning series with over 47 hours of content on 20 discs, as well as FRAGGLE ROCK: THE ANIMATED SERIES, now available for the first time on DVD.
Free Comic Book Day is a single day—the first Saturday in May each year—when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. Fans at the Meltdown event will be able to sample some of the best talents and stories in the industry, free of charge!
Red Fraggle is one of the five main characters of the “Fraggle Rock” TV show, an award-winning television series launched by The Jim Henson Company in 1983 about an imaginary, colorful and fun world comprised of creatures called Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs. The show ran for four seasons and became an international sensation. This global fan-favorite brand is as popular today as it was when it premiered more than 25 years ago with a robust consumer products plan featuring apparel, plush toys and even designer jewelry.
The fun starts at 11 a.m. local time on May 1, 2010 at Meltdown Comics (7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90046, 323-851-7223, www.meltcomics.com). Red Fraggle, Karen Prell, Sam Humphries and Jeremy Love will be ready to greet fans and sign autographs. As an added bonus, the fan-favorite Grilled Cheese Truck, a mobile kitchen that creates gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, will set up outside of Meltdown Comics to sell its wares to fans during the Free Comic Book Day event!
In a few weeks, Archaia will announce additional Free Comic Book Day signings taking place all over the country. For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com.
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy®-nominated “Sid the Science Kid,” “Dinosaur Train,” “Wilson & Ditch: Digging America” and “Pajanimals.” Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables” and television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.”
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment.
The Company’s Henson Alternative brand recently launched the New York run of “Stuffed and Unstrung,” a live puppet improvisational show at the Union Square Theatre. www.henson.com
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, The Killer, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions of Titanium Rain; The God Machine; Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing; 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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In case you had the misfortune of missing the Archaia panel at WonderCon yesterday, here’s a brief list of what we announced. Each will be followed by their own press release later this week.
• Red Fraggle and her puppeteer, Karen Prell, will be making a live appearance on Free Comic Book Day (May 1, 2010) at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of Archaia’s MOUSE GUARD/FRAGGLE ROCK FCBD FLIP BOOK. They will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to perform, sign autographs and take pictures with fans!
• Archaia will publish a new science fiction mini-series, CRITICAL MILLENNIUM, coming out in June from writer Andrew E. C. Gaska and artist Daniel Dussault. It is in Diamond Previews this month. Here’s the solicitation write-up:
One thousand years of mankind’s rise and fall in space! To avert the path all thought unavoidable, a bold group of explorers takes the first steps toward leaving Earth’s solar system. Their quest: new worlds to colonize, so that humanity may yet have yet a chance at survival. Led by philanthropist Thomm Coney, and utilizing an untried star-drive, the team is scorned by the world’s government and canonized by its citizens. And even getting off the ground, they soon realize, may be the most difficult task ahead…
In issue #1: The Future: Mission’s End… A ship on the verge of collapse, its captain maddened by the depths of space and the darkness in his heart. A glimpse into the final voyage of the Black Rabbit—humanity’s hope for survival—reveals the lonely fate of Captain Coney as he encounters a strange energy field on the edge of the universe, and the creature within—an ancient being that will stop at nothing short of his soul…
• Archaia will publish two OGNs for BERONA’S WAR, created by Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé, starting in July with BERONA’S WAR: FIELD GUIDE. A Preview Book will be available in comic shops in three weeks. Here is the solicitation write-up for the FIELD GUIDE:
From the minds of artists/storytellers Jesse Labbé and Anthony Coffey comes this epic tale of two adorable, fur-covered races doomed by their own escalating violence! The Ele-Alta and the Cropones wage war over the island of Berona’s most desirable piece of real estate: the land called Amity. Cute and cuddly on the outside, but ferocious to the core, these fuzzy fighters will continue their bloodshed no matter the cost!
The Berona’s War: Field Guide provides a great introduction to the world of Berona’s War, featuring maps, devious strategies, weapons, character and troop descriptions and the history of wartime events. This is the perfect primer for the upcoming Berona’s War: Fight for Amity!
• Archaia announced the artist for LUCID, the first comic project coming out as part of their partnership with Zachary Quinto and his production company, Before the Door Pictures. The artist is 20-year-old Anna Wieszczyk (Ah-na Vy-check). Written by actor Michael McMillian (“True Blood,” “What I Like About You”), the series will launch in August, with advance copies for sale at the Archaia booth at San Diego Comic-Con in late July. LUCID is set in a world where magic exists and centers on Matthew Dee, a combat mage who serves as the U.S. President’s first line of defense!
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LOS ANGELES-BASED PUBLISHER HEADS NORTH TO MINGLE WITH BAY AREA FANS
Eager to start its 2010 Archaia All Access Convention Tour, Archaia Entertainment announced it is exhibiting at Comic-Con International’s WonderCon, Northern California's premiere comics and popular arts event, to be held at Moscone Center South in San Francisco April 2-4, 2010.
The publisher will set up shop at Booth #813 where it will offer for sale copies of its latest hardcover offerings, including The Killer Vol. 2, Days Missing Vol. 1, Gunnerkrigg Court Vol. 2 and Robotika Vol. 2: For a Few Rubles More. There will also be many free giveaways and the opportunity to meet with several Archaia creators, including Chandra Free (The God Machine), Patrick McEvoy (Starkweather), Tom Pinchuk (Hybrid Bastards!), Josh Finney and Kat Rocha (Titanium Rain), and a bevy of writers and artists who are working on the upcoming Fraggle Rock comic series, including Heather White, Jeff Stokely, Leigh Dragoon and Adrianne Ambrose.
“This is what we live for! It’s fantastic to be able to come out and meet our fans, reward them with some cool giveaways and tease them with some subtle hints of what exciting projects are coming next from Archaia,” said Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo. “This is the first time at WonderCon for many of our staff, and we’re looking forward to the Comic-Con International group putting on a phenomenal show!”
The Archaia booth will be open on Friday, April 2 from 12-7 p.m.; Saturday, April 3 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition, the publisher will present a panel in Room 236/238 on Sunday, April 4 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. to speak about some exciting new developments, including the announcement of several new titles. In addition to the creators listed above, on hand to speak about their projects will be Michael McMillian (Lucid) and Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor), plus there’s always the potential of a surprise “speaker”!
Archaia is always interested in publishing creator-owned comic books in the adventure, fantasy, horror, pulp noir and science fiction genres that contain idiosyncratic and atypical writing and art, so submissions will be accepted at the booth all weekend. If you would like to leave behind a submission, please consult the “Submissions” section on the Archaia website (www.Archaia.com) for criteria.
After WonderCon, the Archaia All Access Convention Tour will make stops at C2E2 (April 16-18 in Chicago, Ill.), The LA Times Festival of Books (April 24-25 in Los Angeles, Calif.), San Diego Comic-Con (July 21-25 in San Diego, Calif.), Baltimore Comic-Con (August 27-28 in Baltimore, Md.), New York Comic Con (Oct. 8-10 in New York, N.Y.) and Long Beach Comic Con (Oct. 29-31 in Long Beach, Calif.).
About Archaia
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful material that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including the popular Eisner Award-winning title Mouse Guard, as well as Gunnerkrigg Court, Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, Robotika, Awakening, The Killer, 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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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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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.
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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RENEWED DEMAND FROM FANS AND RETAILERS IS IN ANTICIPATION OF NEW ‘MOUSE GUARD’ BOOKS ‘LEGENDS OF THE GUARD’ AND ‘VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE’
As a testament to the continuing strength of the Mouse Guard brand and Archaia Entertainment’s commitment to its creators, the publisher announced today that after selling 80,000 copies of David Petersen’s Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 hardcover since its original release in 2007, the title is going back to press. Archaia’s third printing of 10,000 copies, which are scheduled to arrive in stores in March, was expected to last over a 12-month period, but a deluge of advanced ordering due to the announcement of more Mouse Guard volumes has prompted the possibility of a fourth printing to commence in the coming months.
“Fall is an amazing story with equally incredible art, especially the tremendous coloring David puts on display on every page,” said PJ Bickett, President of Archaia Entertainment. “So, it is no surprise to me that there continues to be a demand for this book. But it was a shock to see how overwhelming the demand has become since the release of Mouse Guard [Vol. 2]: Winter [1152].”
The reinvigorated popularity of Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 (full color, 192 pages, 8” x 8” hardcover with dust jacket, $24.95, ISBN 1-932386-57-2), the first volume in the popular all-ages series of books by Petersen, stems from newfound buzz in anticipation of three new projects coming in 2010:
• On Free Comic Book Day on May 1st, Archaia will release the Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock flip book,which will feature a new, original 11-page story by Petersen. The issue will be distributed for free at comic book shops across the country. (Visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com for more information.)
• Also in May, Archaia will launch the Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard anthology. The four-issue limited series revolves around several Mouse Guard members in a tavern, each telling a tall tale. The covers and chapter breaks will be written and drawn by Petersen, while the tall tales will be contributed by some of the most popular creators in comics, including Gene Ha, Guy Davis and Ted Naifeh.
• In September, Archaia rolls out Mouse Guard Vol. 3: The Black Axe, a six-issue limited series. Set in 1115, this prequel will reveal the backstory behind the legendary Black Axe, the most powerful member of the Mouse Guard.
“I’m thrilled that readers are continuing to enjoy my stories,” said Petersen. “Going to multiple printings only means the audience is wider than we thought. Archaia is making sure that as that audience grows,my books are accessible without ever skimping on quality. Readers are passing along copies to friends and family in order to grow the audience, and that makes me grateful. With their help, and the work of librarians and teachers who are using Mouse Guard, I now have a heavy but enjoyable task of giving the audience more of this world. I’m excited to show them ‘what happens next’!”
The new printing of Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 arrives in stores in March and will feature an updated trade dress.
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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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FANS CAN DOWNLOAD ‘DAYS MISSING’ #1 FOR FREE ON THE IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH
Expanding their partnerships with proven digital comics distributors to meet the growing demand for more digital content, Archaia and Roddenberry Productions announced that the “digi-bution” of all five issues of last fall’s critically acclaimed, science fiction miniseries Days Missing is now exclusively on iVerse Comics’ free application. Issue #1, written by Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) and drawn by Frazer Irving (Batman and Robin, Seven Soldiers of Victory), is currently available for free on the site and issues #2-5 will be available for $1.99 in the coming weeks.
Days Missing tells the stories of a mysterious being known as “The Steward.” His ability to literally “fold” days of time has allowed him to secretly remove critical days from our shared history that have forever changed the course of mankind…or so he thinks. In these missing days, The Steward battles Frankenstein, the Spanish conquistadors and artificial life forms, among other history-shaping forces.
Days Missing digital issues #2-5 will each be available for $1.99 and will roll out weekly starting Jan. 27. The schedule is as follows:
Days Missing #2 – Jan. 27
Days Missing #3 – Feb. 3
Days Missing #4 – Feb. 10
Days Missing #5 – Feb. 17
“Archaia is committed to reaching the mass audience with our sophisticated content in multiple formats,” said PJ Bickett, President of Archaia. “With digi-bution, we are able to reach an audience 10 times larger. Now throw in the fact that it is Days Missing, co-developed with Roddenberry Productions, and you have an instant winner!”
“Roddenberry has always been a name associated with technology and innovation. We are thrilled to continue this journey with Archaia and offer fans the opportunity to consume this extraordinary story on a unique digital platform,” said Roddenberry’s Head of Development and Days Missing Creator Trevor Roth.
“Archaia is the perfect kind of publishing partner for iVerse,” said iVerse Media CEO Michael Murphey. “Archaia has a rich and diverse catalog with some amazing properties like Days Missing…which we’re very excited to release on the iPhone.”
The digi-bution of Days Missing will ramp up to the debut of the Days Missing deluxe hardcover ($19.95, 160 pages, ISBN 1-932386-84-X), which will feature a host of extras and back-matter material, including a foreword by the legendary Warren Ellis. It is scheduled to be on sale in comic shops on Feb. 24 and in bookstores on March 2.
Archaia’s digital strategy will continue with the launch of an Archaia Store app at the end of February, powered by iVerse Media. The store will contain a complete list of Archaia’s archived products as well as exclusive digital content. More information to follow soon.
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GRAPHIC NOVEL COLLECTS ALL FIVE ISSUES PLUS A HOST OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXTRAS
Combining Archaia’s longstanding commitment to producing high-quality hardcover graphic novels and Roddenberry’s goal to produce sophisticated, intelligent and entertaining science fiction in the tradition of Star Trek, the companies announced today they will publish a deluxe Days Missing hardcover that collects all five issues of the critically acclaimed mini-series plus a host of extra features, available in February 2010.
The Days Missing hardcover is available for pre-order now through comic retailers (Diamond Item Number DEC09 0662) and online outlets like Amazon.com (ISBN 1-932386-84-X). (To find your nearest comic shop, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.)
Days Missing tells the stories of a mysterious being known as “The Steward.” His ability to literally “fold” days of time has allowed him to secretly remove critical days from our shared history that have forever changed the course of mankind…or so he thinks. In these missing days, The Steward battles Frankenstein, the Spanish conquistadors and artificial lifeforms, among other history-shaping forces.
Archaia and Roddenberry Productions brought together four all-star creative teams to each work on standalone, reader-friendly issues of Days Missing that tie into the overall mini-series story arc. The writer/artist teams include: Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) and Frazer Irving (Batman and Robin, Seven Soldiers of Victory) for issues 1 and 5; David Hine (Batman: Battle for the Cowl) and Chris Burnham (X-Men: Divided We Stand) for issue 2; Ian Edginton (Stormwatch) and Lee Moder (Legion of Super-Heroes) for issue 3; and Matz (The Killer) and Hugo Petrus (Wolverine: First Class) for issue 4. The legendary Dale Keown (The Incredible Hulk, Pitt) provided the main covers to each issue.
The extra features in the Days Missing hardcover include:
• A foreword written by the legendary Warren Ellis, award-winning creator of graphic novels such as Fell, Ministry of Space, Planetary and Transmetropolitan.
• A gallery featuring all 16 covers of the five issues.
• A collectible poster on the reverse side of the dust jacket, joining together all of Frazer Irving’s complete chase covers to Days Missing.
• Interviews with all of the writers and Roddenberry Productions’ Trevor Roth , creator of Days Missing.
• Revelation of the secret code contained in the Days Missing logo.
• A stat sheet of The Steward, plus a tour of his library.
• The evolution of a comic page, from script to pencils, inks and colors.
Here is what the critics are saying about Days Missing:
“One of the best things that came out this year.”
– Blair Butler, G4’s Fresh Ink Online
“Innovative and cool.”
– Brendan McGuirk, Newsarama.com
“A rare treat.”
– Christopher Baggett, TheHomeWorld.net
“Poetic…beautiful…impressive.”
– Sara Lima, ComicVine.com
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Archaia is pleased to offer you a five-page preview for Okko: The Cycle of Earth #3 (of 4) and a seven-page preview for The Engineer Vol. 1: Konstrukt hardcover, both which goes on sale in comic shops Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009.
OKKO: THE CYCLE OF EARTH #3 (of 4)
(W/A) Hub
The second volume of this critically acclaimed French comic book series finally resumes! When we last left the ronin Okko and his band of demon hunters, the group was getting closer to discovering more about the powerful Raven monks and their deadly motives. Now, with one of their own severely wounded, the group teams up with a one-armed, female samurai warrior and her loyal rat servant to seek out The Forbidden Libraries, where they hope to find out who these sorcerer monks are and why they’ve been stealing bodies of dead soldiers from battlefields all over the Pajan Empire. Could these basket hat-wearing monks of the Raven clan be secretly forming an Army of the Dead?
Full Color $3.95 32 pages Mature Readers (Series contains Graphic Violence and Adult Content)
THE ENGINEER VOL. 1: KONSTRUKT
(W) Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd (A) Brian Churilla
An ancient sentient entity is feasting on the very fabric of space and time. Only one man can stop it: The Engineer, last survivor of the destroyed Earth. Utilizing a colossal pipe organ that enables pan-dimensional travel, The Engineer pursues the lost components of The Konstrukt, an archaic mechanism that imbues whoever possesses it with the ability to manipulate reality itself, in the hopes of using it to defeat the creature and undo the incalculable damage it has already done. Giant bat creatures, were-crabs, immense rock creatures, amorphous witches and armies of undead abound in this pulpy sci-fi romp for all ages! Collects and completes The Engineer series.
The Engineer is the first in a series of discounted hardcovers from Archaia to introduce new readers to the publisher’s unique library of titles.
Hardcover Full Color 128 pages $9.95 All Ages (10 and up; series contains Mild Violence)
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