IA IA CTHULHU FHTAGN!
BOOM! STUDIOS BRINGS CTHULHU BACK TO COMICS WITH
THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES
A BRAND NEW ONGOING SERIES
FROM SCRIBES MICHAEL ALAN NELSON (FALL OF CTHULHU, 28 DAYS LATER)
&
JOHANNA STOKES
(DEATH VALLEY, SAVAGE BROTHERS)
THIS JULY
"There is a great one sleeping that will hear… The Calling"
At C2E2 today, BOOM! Studios announced a brand new ongoing horror series, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES, debuting this July from writers Michael Alan Nelson (FALL OF CTHULHU, 28 DAYS LATER) and Johanna Stokes (DEATH VALLEY, SAVAGE BROTHERS.) An all-new ongoing Lovecraft-inspired supernatural horror series with a decidedly modern spin, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES marks the return to the Cthulhu mythos that BOOM! built its reputation on with bestselling titles like FALL OF CTHULHU and CTHULHU TALES.
“If you are a fan of Lovecraft, if you worship Cthulhu, if you love horror, don’t miss this book,” said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “This is BOOM! at its best, returning to our horror roots with a great new title that is guaranteed to creep you out… and drive you mad!”
Joining Nelson and Stokes, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES features covers by 2010 Eisner Award-nominee and CRIMINAL Co-Conspirator Sean Phillips along with hot newcomer Federico Piatti, and rising star Christopher Possenti on interior art.
In THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES a cruise ship comes to port with hundreds aboard dead. But why? Clayton Diggs is a pharmaceuticals salesman who discovers his sister has committed herself to an insane asylum. She's checked herself in, fearing she'll hurt herself or someone else. And she's afraid that something is out there... All across the world, moves are made, hands are being dealt, and momentum is shifting, while ordinary people in an ordinary world find themselves drawn by fate to see darkness and despair unlike anything they ever could imagine. Meanwhile, a cult sets their plan in motion, believing that there is a great one sleeping that will hear THE CALLING.
BOOM! Studios’ THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES, a new ongoing horror series, debuts this July.
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fifth anniversary.
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WAR IS COMING!
FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS #0
MARKS THE PRELUDE TO...
THE WAR FOR THE UNCHARTED TERRITORIES
AN EPIC FARSCAPE EVENT STARTS HERE!
WHO ARE THE KKORE?
At C2E2 today, BOOM! Studios announced an epic event that will take over all of FARSCAPE. There is a dark menace that wants to bring death and destruction to the civilizations of the Uncharted Territories. They are the Kkore! No one will be spared from war in the Uncharted Territories. And it all starts in FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS #0, on shelves now, serving as a prelude to The War For The Uncharted Territories.
Farscape show creator Rockne S. O'Bannon has architected this epic event that will span both of BOOM! Studios ongoing series FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS & FARSCAPE.
Very soon, Farscape fans across the globe will learn...
What role do Zahn's people, the Delvians, have in this coming conflict?
How can Scorpius benefit from the Kkore?
What plan does Scorpius have with Chiana?
To know the answer to these questions and more don't miss a single issue of BOOM! Studios' FARSCAPE ongoing series and FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS! The prelude to the epic war for the Uncharted Territories begins in the pages of FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS #0 with the threat taking over the entire Farscape Universe.
FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS #0 is written by Rockne S. O’Bannon and scripted by David Alan Mack, with interior art by hot newcomer Mike Ruiz. The debut issue features two covers in a 50/50 split, with art by Nick Runge and Chad Hardin, and a 1-in-10 incentive cover. This title carries a Diamond Code of FEB100749 and shipped April 14th, 2010.
FARSCAPE is an ongoing series written by Farscape creator Rockne S. O'Bannon and Keith R.A. DeCandido with sensational interior art by Will Sliney. FARSCAPE: SCORPIUS is an ongoing series written by Rockne S. O'Bannon and David Alan Mack with art by red-hot newcomer Mike Ruiz.
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fifth anniversary.
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Friday's episode of The Clone Wars continued the story of the Zillo beast, and this two-parter is one of my favorite story arcs of the series. Both last week's "The Zillo Beast" and this week's "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back" are a loving homage to Japanese giant monster movies. At the end of last week's episode we saw the beast captured and ready to be sent to Coruscant, a decision made with the typical lack of judgement of characters in a giant monster story. Whether it's King Kong, Gwangi, or Mothra, it's never a good idea to bring a giant monster to town.
Like any most great monsters, the Zillo beast is as much a victim of man as it is a destructive force. We see some very intense scenes in this episode of the Beast locked up and subjected to cruel experiments and, finally, gassed to death at Palpatine's orders. The episode nicely captures the fundamental theme kaiju stories in which man suffers for being grossly out of harmony with the natural world. These two episodes make me wish the people who made this episode were in charge of the new Godzilla movie because they really get the genre.
These episodes mark a turning point for Palpatine's characterization on the show and the makers are far less coy about his true nature, even to the point where he shares an evil grin with the camera. He comes off as a real bastard in "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back." A running joke in the episode is that the Beast seems to be on to him when no one else is and the monster pursues him through a big chunk of the city. He could have done the galaxy a big favor if not for the Jedi.
Speaking of Palps, he has a great scene in this episode. Padme and the Jedi get wind of his plans to kill the Zillo Beast and, in a foreshadowing of Revenge of the Sith, they try to get Anakin to talk him out of it. Anakin and Padme go into the meeting on the same side, but at some point Palpatine pulls him to his point of view. It's a great scene because there are lots of things going under the surface and it really showcases Anakin's uncomfortable, shifting loyalties.
While the Zillo Beast's design is a little odd-looking in static poses, he was quite impressive moving and spinning through the sky lanes and buildings of Coruscant. That extra arm gives him the ability to move on another axis, which is visually interesting. It was really cool seeing this kind of kaiju urban destruction in a Star Wars setting.
Ultimately, the Beast is a confused and terrified creature which has been taken out of its element and meets its end at the hands of man (and aliens) like many great movie monsters before it. This great Zillo beast story arc gives me hope that The Clone Wars will continue to be adventurous in exploring different genres and ways to tell stories set in the Star Wars universe. After all, Star Wars itself is mix of many disparate styles and influences, and The Clone Wars offers a low risk venue for storytelling experimentation.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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The Amazing Race, Uncle Scrooge-styleFoundation and symbol of his untold wealth, Uncle Scrooge keeps the first dime he ever earned close to heart. The fiendish sorceress Magica De Spell recognizes the inherent magical powers of the dime and will stop at nothing to steal it from the gazillionaire of Duckburg.
Collecting issues 384-387 of the Uncle Scrooge series from Boom! Studios, Uncle Scrooge: The Hunt for Old Number One TPB follows Scrooge and Magica as they square off across Europe for possession of this talisman of prosperity.
The saga plays out like a season of the reality TV show The Amazing Race, with Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and Huey, Dewey and Louie either a step behind or a step ahead of Magica and Ratface (her talking raven assistant). We follow Scrooge as he takes a tour of Europe on various money-making opportunities while fending off Magica's devilish schemes.
The comic is a lightearted mix of adventure, magic, mystery and history masterfully woven together by author Per-Erik Hedman. The tales have a delightful internal consistency to them, becoming a whimsical blend of Indiana Jones swashbuckling and Disney fantasy.
There are six distinct chapters which each occur in a different European locale. Hedman creates a unique atmosphere in each story which really gives you a taste for the individual countries:
1. The Ghostly Carriage (Germany)
2. Salt and Gold (Poland)
3. His Ancestor's Diamonds (the Netherlands)
4. The Weapons of the Vikings (Denmark)
5. The Gold Hunt (Finland)
6. The Fateful Hour (Italy)
Inventor Gyro Gearloose, perpetual ne'er-do-wellers The Beagle Boys, and arch-rival Flintheart Glomgold appear in different chapters as guest stars, ensuring that the race between Scrooge and Magica doesn't devolve into meaningless repetition.
Though older readers might find some of the stories too simplistic, Hedman continues the honoured Uncle Scrooge tradition of Carl Banks and Don Rosa in making this the thinking fan's book in the Disney stable - always adding little twists and turns to each episode and crafting them with care and precision.
The artwork by Wanda Gattino is disarminly beautiful in a similar vein to Charles Schulz's classic Peanuts strip. With very few lines she manages to convey emotion, tension and action. It's a wonder that sometimes less can be so much more, especially amongst a world of overdrawn superhero comics.
Although Boom's policy of multiple covers can seem unnecessary or exploitative, the 13 covers in the appendix to this volume contain some real gems which serve to enhance the character and largesse of Uncle Scrooge.
These 96 pages of stories may seem linear to some but will provide hours of pleasure to avid fans and an excellent introduction to the world of Scrooge for newcomers.
Adam Paige
Senior Reviewer
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The plot thickens in this IDW sequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as the Autobot/Human task force, NEST, is in danger of being shut down in the wake of the Decepticon attack on the pertrochemical facility from last issue. The still-mysterious group of humans known as Project Nefarious continue their plans, apparently to regrow the All Spark for their own purposes. Meanwhile, Soundwave and his agents come closer to uncovering the conspiracy.
Soundwave again takes center stage in this issue, as the de facto leader of the Decepticons on Earth in the wake of Megatron and Starscream's departure at the end of Revenge of the Fallen while the Autobots struggle with their fragile human alliance. The storyline about the American government's hesitation about working with the Autobots continues here. Soundwave finally touches down on Earth, to tangle with the Autobots and will either be their prisoner or ally.
This episode features some new movie-verse characters and some that we have already seen. It is nice to see that they are getting some use of out Sideswipe and he is very much a vain and impulsive young Autobot in the tradition of Sunstreaker, Hot Rod, and Cheetor. So even if he is not directly based on his G1 namesake, he at least feels like a Transformers character. I was slightly confused by the appearance of what looks like Sideways on page 10. I hope the comics are not getting into the movie's habit of casually resurrecting deceased characters. I was also disappointed to see that Soundwave had not adopted an terrestrial alt mode. I was hoping to see the truck alt mode that was rumored to have been scrapped from the movie. I am also not a fan of how his dialogue was written in this movie. Soundwave should always speak simply and directly, preferably as little as possibe, instead of the rather arch way he is written here. This is also true of Dirt Boss' little personal manifesto on 16/17. Characters shouldn't be talking about their motivations in the middle of a fight.
Transformers: Nafarious #2 continues and builds on the solid setup from Issue 1. The story seems to be moving towards an interesting alliance between the Autobots and Soundwave's Decepticons to find and destroy the people behind Project Nefarious. There are a few missteps but Nefarious is actually telling a compelling story in the movie universe.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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Marvel Knights Animation (http://www.marvel.com) is proud to announce their newest motion comic epic: Iron Man: Extremis, is on-sale now!
Now you can experience the groundbreaking motion comic, adapting the critically-acclaimed storyline by superstars Warren Ellis and Adi Granov, on iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network with an extra-sized, nearly 20 minute long debut episode! 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 an unstoppable force fueled by the powerful bio-engineered Extremis super-soldier serum! Each of the six episodes is only $1.99 for Standard Definition or $2.99 for HD and will be released every two weeks through June.
"Iron Man Extremis is an incredible piece of storytelling by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov. The Extremis motion comic takes their creative brilliance and seamlessly shapes it into a unique new experience within the digital animation realm," says Ruwan Jayatilleke, lead creative and producer for Marvel motion comics. "Having the opportunity to work on Warren and Adi's story while extending Marvel's commitment to this new entertainment space has been hands-down phenomenal!"
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.
Don’t miss the first episode of Iron Man: Extremis, on-sale now through iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network! For more information, and a first look at the groundbreaking motion comic, head over to http://www.marvel.com/extremis
Please note that Iron Man: Extremis is intended for mature audiences only.
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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Sometimes my various circles of geekiness converge in this perfect Venn diagram way, like nerdcore/geek rock, geeky Threadless t-shirts, and comic book movies. The beauty of being a geek who is interested in everything is that this happens all the time. What's really beautiful to a lit geek like me, is that I enjoy Shakespeare just as much as I enjoy my weekly comic fix. Apparently I'm not the only one--IDW brings us Kill Shakespeare, a creative, gorgeously-drawn matryoshka of a story that brings back the Bard's characters in an innovative way.
Shakespeare, though extremely prevalent in our culture, is one of those writers who can be polarizing. Lit geeks love the flowery language and iambic pentameter; others don't want to wade through all of the poetry to get to the heart of the story. Wherever you fall in that spectrum, writers Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col have got a tale for you. It's as if the characters housed in my Complete Works of William Shakespeare volumes have climbed out of their respective plays to visit one another. When taking on this kind of story, it would be easy to make it seem ridiculous or border on parody. This is not the case with Kill Shakespeare. With the debut issue, McCreery and Del Col begin weaving a complex tapestry of characters and plot that has the potential to be one of the best series this year. In the opener, Hamlet, traveling with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, winds up in a completely different place than you remember from lit class, and with completely different consequences. Throw in some familiar hags and a nefarious plot to kill the Bard, and you've got me running to my local comic shop to add this to the pull list.
Adding his talents to this comic is artist Andy Belanger. I'm not familiar with anything else he's done, but with this issue, I'm a fan. His art has a Guy Davis quality to it, which suits the supernatural qualities of this book. Ian Herring does a fantastic job coloring Belanger's art, setting the proper moods on each page. Cover duties are shared by Kagan McLeod and Andy Belanger, and both covers are equally beautiful.
This book is a must-buy for anyone who likes Shakespeare or fans of books like Fables and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and it's a great gateway for that literary friend who says that comics have no substance.
Stacey Rader
Review Editor
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Experience More of Wonderland …
ON DISNEY BLU-RAY & DVD – JUNE 1, 2010
With Worldwide Theatrical Box Office Earnings Approaching the $800 Million Mark, Tim Burton’s Take on the Classic Tales Wins Fans Everywhere
Following a record-breaking theatrical performance, Tim Burton’s epic fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Disney’s 4th biggest film of all time, takes its booming box-office success into the home with a Disney 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray and 1-Disc DVD on June 1, 2010, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE).
The ALICE IN WONDERLAND Blu-ray DiscTM Combo Pack provides audiences with the chance to experience a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time in pristine 1080p picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 HD surround sound quality and has been especially packaged with family and fans in mind – with lots of exciting bonus features and an extra DVD and Digital Copy of the movie.
The Blu-ray Disc versions of the film include nine bonus features that take viewers deeper into the famous “Rabbit Hole” - exploring more of the world of Wonderland, its iconic characters and the making of the film. Features include the making of the Futterwacken Dance, a look inside the world of the Mad Hatter and Johnny Depp’s transformation, Tim Burton’s vision for the movie and its characters, the visual effects of growing and shrinking of Alice, costume designs, music, stunts and more.
The suggested retail prices for ALICE IN WONDERLAND are as follows: The 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) is $44.99 (US)/$51.99 (Canada); the 1-Disc Blu-ray is $39.99 (US) /$44.99 (Canada); and the Single Disc DVD is $29.99 (US)/$35.99 (Canada).
Film Synopsis:
Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical new adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton. Inviting and magical, ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an imaginative new twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny. Wonderland is a world beyond your imagination and unlike anything you’ve seen before. The extraordinary characters you’ve loved come to life richer and more colorful than ever. There’s the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and more. A triumphant cinematic experience – ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an incredible feast for your eyes, ears and heart that will captivate audiences of all sizes.
The film’s opening weekend made ALICE IN WONDERLAND the highest-grossing non-sequel opening weekend in history, the biggest March opening of all time, the biggest 3D opening of all time and the biggest IMAX opening of all time.
Bonus Features:
DVD:
Finding Alice – It’s all things Alice. This featurette includes Tim Burton’s vision for the characters, differences from the book and Disney’s version of Alice and how she evolves as both a character and actor as she takes an adventure through Wonderland.
The Mad Hatter – Audiences are provided with a deeper look into the world of the Mad Hatter. Check out Johnny Depp’s early sketches, make-up, costumes and how they digitally enhanced his eyes.
Effecting Wonderland – A behind-the-scenes piece on the different technologies used to create some of the most beloved characters in the film – Stayne, Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Bandersnatch and the Red Queen.
BLU-RAY:
Everything on the DVD plus:
The Futterwacken Dance – Futterwhat? Check out the making of the timeless dance called the Futterwacken.
The Red Queen – The creation of the Red Queen from start to finish, including early Tim Burton sketches showcasing costume designs, make-up and digital effects.
Time-Lapse: Sculpting the Red Queen – A short time-lapse piece showing Helena Bonham Carter as she gets her make-up done. A three-hour process can be watched in just a few short minutes.
The White Queen – An interview with Anne Hathaway, who plays Wonderland’s good queen, about her character’s journey throughout the process of the film.
Scoring Wonderland – Composer Danny Elfman and Tim Burton discuss the music for the movie.
Stunts of Wonderland – A featurette highlighting some of the biggest stunts in the film.
Making the Proper Size – An inside look at the visual effects process of growing and shrinking Alice. See how filmmakers used different techniques to stay true to the storyline.
Cakes of Wonderland – Take a trip to “Cake Divas” where the creators of the EAT ME cakes provide viewers with details about how they made the smallest crumb to the largest cake in scale.
Tea Party Props – Tea cups, saucers, cakes and more. Prop master Doug Harlocker gives an overview of all the props used to bring the famous tea party scene together visually.
About Disney Combo Packs:
To provide consumers with unprecedented quality, value and portability of their favorite Disney classics, in 2008 WDSHE pioneered the Combo Pack – a Blu-ray Disc plus a DVD and in some cases a Digital Copy of the movie in a single package. Current 2010 Disney titles available as Combo Packs include Ponyo, Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and Princess and the Frog.
About Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment:
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of The Walt Disney Studios.
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Top Cow would like to offer you a preview of Ron Marz and Nelson Blake II's Magdalena #1, which is out in stores this coming Wednesday, April 21st.
MAGDALENA #1
story RON MARZ
art NELSON BLAKE II
cover RYAN SOOK
APRIL 28 32 PAGES / FC $3.99
The Star of the Forthcoming Feature Film Gets Her Own Series!
The Magdalena has been the official protector and warrior of the Catholic Church for over two thousand years, sworn to defend the Faith with the Spear of Destiny against all manner of supernatural threats. However, Patience, the latest Magdalena, has seen through the hypocrisy of her masters and struck out on her own. When her old mentor comes to her with a mission to prevent Armageddon, will she be able to resist the call?
From writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and the art team of Pilot Season: Murderer, Nelson Blake II, Sal Regla, and Dave McCaig.
Featuring covers by Ryan Sook (Wednesday Comics)!
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