IDW has released previews for their books coming out on March 10th.
The A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #1
Joe Carnahan, Tom Waltz (w) • Stephen Mooney (a) • John K. Snyder III (c)
The A-Team are back! Before you see their return on the big-screen, thrill to this special mission told in comic book form only! After a successful-but harrowing-completion to a mission in icy Alaska, Hannibal and the team are up for some much-needed leave in sunny San Diego to attend the wedding of a high-ranking U.S. official's daughter.
But when threats are made against the event, the A-Team is forced to quit their vacation and go undercover to foil what might be a terrorist plot.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Angel: A Hole in the World #4
Scott Tipton (w) • Elena Casagrande (a & c)
After recovering her full powers, Illyria sets out to reclaim her position as ruler of the world, seeking her vast army that exists between our plain of existence and has been awaiting her return. Meanwhile, Wesley discovers Gunn’s horrifying role in Fred’s death and enacts his own kind of justice.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
The Complete Milt Gross Comic Books and Life Story
Milt Gross (w & a)
This beautifully designed book collects the complete comic book stories of comic genius Milt Gross, culled from rare, impossible to track down comic books of the ‘40s, which have been lovingly restored. Milt Gross was a cartooning genius who was championed by Art Spiegelman in Raw and Dan Nadel in Art Out of Time. Gross wrote and drew what many consider to be the first graphic novel, He Done Her Wrong, and was a popular comic stripper (with hilarious cartoon-style Yiddish-isms), animator, and screenplay writer (co-writer of films with Charlie Chaplin). This thick, full-color, 368-page hardback tome, in addition to exhuming every one of Gross’ wild and crazy comic book stories, shares rare photos, sketches, and unpublished art, including the previously unknown cover to the Milt Gross Funnies #3!
HC • FC • $39.99 • 368 pages • 8.5” x 11” • ISBN: 978-1-60010-546-3
© 2009 Gussoni-Yoe Studio, Inc.
Doctor Who Classics Vol. 5
Steve Parkhouse (w) • Mick Austin, Steve Dillon (a) • Steve Parkhouse (c)
IDW’s newly re-colored reprints of classic Doctor Who tales from years past continue. In this collection the adventures of the Fifth Doctor continues in “Lunar Lagoon” and the four-part “4-Dimensional Vistas," printed in the U.S. for the first time, and more! Featuring all-new colors by Charlie Kirchoff.
TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-608-8
Doctor Who, Vol. 1: Fugitive
Tony Lee (w) • Al Davison, Matt Smith (a) • Paul Grist (c)
An anomaly in the space-time continuum brings the Doctor to Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, where he makes new friends and new enemies. But his actions attract the attention of the Shadow Proclamation, which puts him on trial for his life! This book collects the first six issues of the ongoing series, written by Tony Lee (Doctor Who: The Forgotten), with art by Al Davison (The Dreaming) and Matthew Smith (The Keep).
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-607-1
The Ghoul #3
Steve Niles (w) • Bernie Wrightson (a & c)
After a brief, demonic waylay, the Ghoul and Detective Klimpt finally come face-to-face with the horror they have sought. What began as a Hollywood rumor takes a twisted turn for the worst and the recently teamed-up monster and cop find themselves in a nightmare of glitz, glamour and guts! Also, part three of the prose Ghoul adventure “My Ghoul” also concludes as Wrightson, Niles and IDW dole out a generous dose of horrors.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
G.I. Joe: Origins #13
Scott Beatty (w) • S. L. Gallant (a) • Tom Feister, Gallant (c)
First appearance of RIPCORD! The latest candidate for G.I. JOE status may already be dead! Meet Wallace Weems, a soldier everybody calls RIPCORD. Lost in a forbidding jungle, Ripcord has one mission: SURVIVE! And if he doesn't outwit, outfight, and outlast the terrorists hunting him, thousands more might die!
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
G.I. JOE: Origins, Vol. 2
Chuck Dixon (w) • SL Gallant (a) • David Williams (c)
Scarlett on trial! Mainframe gone insane! Snake Eyes on his own! And Cobra revealed! Seasoned comics vet Chuck Dixon turns the heat up on America’s most elite fighting force as the tale of the creation of G.I. JOE is told.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-609-5
Grimjack Omnibus
The entire original John Ostrander/Timothy Truman GrimJack run, from its very beginnings in Starslayer to the first 21 issues of First Comics’ solo title. BlacJacMac! Bob The Watchlizard! Goddess! Gordon Munden! They’re all here in all their amazing glory! The creation that made comics superstars of Ostrander and Truman, now all gathered in one stellar Omnibus edition!
TPB • FC • $24.99 • 400 Pages • 6.x 9 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-601-9
GrimJack ™ and © Nightsky GrimJack LLC, 1983 – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Music Box #4
Scott Lobdell (w) • Renae DeLiz & Ray Dillon (a & c)
It’s the 1920s and a young girl is nearly starving on the streets of Chicago, hoping against hope she can ace an audition as a flapper in a popular night club. But when the manager tries to explain to this talent-less waif there's no such thing as a free lunch, the only thing on hand to defend her honor is a music box she uses as a bludgeon! But the music box is no more generous than the now dead manager—she's now talented, rich and famous... but at what price?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Star Trek: Alien Spotlight, Vol. 2
Keith R. A. DeCandido, Ian Edgington, Stuart Moore, Andy Schmidt, David Tipton, Scott Tipton (w) • Elena Casagrande, Mike Hawthorne, Wagner Reis, J. K. Woodward (a) • Various (c)
Cardassians, Klingons, Q, Romulans, and Tribbles. Five different and distinct alien races, all part of the Star Trek Universe. Five stand-alone stories that take you on unique and intriguing adventures, each focusing on an alien species that has come into contact—and often conflict—with the Federation of Planets!
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 128 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-612-5
Transformers: Best of the UK: Prey
Simon Furman (w) • Jeff Anderson, Dan Reed, Geoff Senior, Will Simpson (a) • Andrew Griffith (c)
The Best of the UK series returns with the five-part Prey! MEGATRON unleashes the feared PREDACONS to seek and destroy OPTIMUS PRIME. Could this be the end for the AUTOBOT leader? Find out in this fan-favorite collection of classic tales from across the pond, written by TRANSFORMERS mainstay Simon Furman.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 132 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-618-7
Transformers: Bumblebee #4
Zander Cannon (w) • Chee (a) • Guido Guidi, Chee (c)
When BUMBLEBEE has a change of heart and goes back to help a little girl whom he had used to discover her father’s secrets, he finds himself pursued by the terrifying and unstoppable SKYWARP! BUMBLEBEE’s big adventure as leader of the AUTOBOTS comes to an explosive and thrilling conclusion!
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Weekly World News #3
Chris Ryall (w) • Alan Robinson (a) • Alan Robinson, J.K. Woodward (c)
In the penultimate chapter of “The Irredemption of Ed Anger,” the public turns on Bat Boy, giving Ed Anger the redemption he’s been looking for. Too bad it happens right when Chaos Cloud arrives, intending to destroy the Earth! The first Weekly World News comic series is already considered the best new series of the Millennium according to [word count exceeded].
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Zombies vs Robots Aventure #2
Chris Ryall (w) • Menton Matthews III, Paul McCaffrey, Gabriel Hernandez (a) • Ashley Wood (c)
In the second chapter of the reborn ZvR anthology, Chris Ryall and Menton Matthews III go to war in “Kampf;” Ryall and Paul McCaffrey bring the iron in “Masques;” and Gabriel Hernandez illustrates an all-new zombie threat in “Zuvembies vs Robots.”
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
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Truly great stories are those that stick with you long after you read the last page or the final credits roll. Lewis Carroll's tales of Alice are like that for me. I've read the book so many times I've memorized the chapter names. When I heard Tim Burton was making a sequel of sorts, I was excited, because the eccentric director is well-matched to this bizarre world. Burton brings his flair to Wonderland, but he presents a story that is faithful to the source material.
Though I wasn't fortunate enough to see this in IMAX 3D, my local theater's digital 3D presentation was gorgeous. Even the Friskies commercial (which had me laughing hysterically) was pretty, albeit a little oddly placed, in 3D. The film itself makes great use of the technology. So many times when I go to see a 3D film, there are elements that seem gimmicky and out of place. The 3D in Alice in Wonderland was an asset to the story, making Underland (as it's called in this film) the surreal movable feast we expect it to be. Vivid colors and lush environments complement the colorful characters Alice encounters along the way.
Speaking of characters, all of the old familiar characters are there (OK, not all of the old characters, but the major players anyway). I knew I was in for a treat when Alice first arrives in Underland and rocking-horse flies flew across the screen. The story is totally accessible to anyone who hasn't read the books (as was the case with two people in my group), but for those of us who have read the books, it's one "Wow!" after another. Not only do you get to see the major players, but even elements from "Jabberwocky" (like the Jabberwocky himself, the Jub-Jub Bird, and the frumious Bandersnatch). And the way Burton works the story from the poem itself into the film is great.
Casting for the film was very well done. Mia Wasikowska's Alice has the right balance of naivete and bravado, reacting just the way I'd imagine Carroll's Alice would. Crispin Glover's turn as the Knave of Hearts is creepy in all the right ways, and Burton mainstays Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp make the film. Voice acting by Stephen Fry (Cheshire Cat), Matt Lucas (Tweedledee/Tweedledum), and Alan Rickman (Absalom the Blue Caterpillar) is a delight. Of the supporting performances, Anne Hathaway's turn as the White Queen brought me the most joy. She captures the essence of the character so well, floating across the screen with pleasant pageantry.
There's so much to enjoy about this film. It's fun, scary, heartwarming--all the things you want a film like this to be. Danny Elfman's score is uncharacteristic of traditional Burton/Elfman scores, but that's a great thing. The annoying thing about Elfman sometimes is that every score sounds like Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. That's so not the case here. One caveat--if you decide to take the kiddos to this one, keep in mind that even Lewis Carroll's story went to some dark and scary places, and Burton's does too. Our theater was packed with little ones, and several kids beside me were terrified by some of the creatures, most notably the Jabberwocky. (I have to admit, even I jumped once at the menacing giant.) The only complaint I have involves a short dance sequence, but it's more about the music that backs it, not so much the dance itself.
Go see this movie. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. It's everything a fan of the original book could hope for, but it's accessible to anyone who just wants a fun time at the movies. (Trust me, it's worth the price of admission for the 3D Friskies commercial. It's a scary glimpse into the future.)
Stacey Rader
Senior Reviewer
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DC Comics Reached The Top of February's Comics Sales Chart As Blackest Night Nears Its Conclusion
The uniting of heroes and villains into Lantern Corps to defeat Nekron helped send Blackest Night #7, the latest chapter of the cosmic crossover event by writer Geoff Johns and artist Ivan Reis, to the top of the sales charts, giving DC Comics the best-selling comic book in February 2010, based upon total unit sales to comic book specialty shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors.
Battling Blackest Night for the #2 spot on the chart was Siege #2, the second issue of Marvel Comics' Avengers crossover, which helped Marvel Comics take the top publisher spot in February with the company leading in both the Unit Market and Dollar Shares categories, for a 45.42% Unit Market Share and a 41.66% Dollar Share for the month.
Bill Willingham’s take on the creatures of myth and fairy tales, Fables, has been a strong seller for DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint and was optioned for a pilot by ABC. The latest collected volume of the series, Fables Volume 13: The Great Fables Crossover, collecting a nine-part storyline that ran between Fables and Jack of Fables, provided DC/Vertigo with the best-selling graphic novel to comic book specialty shops in February.
DC Direct brought the heroes and villains of their best-selling comic book mini-series Blackest Night to life, and the Blackest Night Series 3 Action Figures gave DC Comics the best-selling Toy product to comics specialty retailers in February. Wizards of the Coast’s latest expansion for the Magic the Gathering trading card game, Worldwake, gave the publisher the best-selling game product to specialty retailers for the month.
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How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts — which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. The account base includes brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, and other specialty stores.
Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.
###
ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS—the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, Diamond is based in Baltimore, MD, and services more than 3,500 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.
© 2010 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, Diamond Books logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.
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C2E2 ANNOUNCES “AN EVENING WITH NEIL GAIMAN”
Celebrated Author and Industry Icon to Appear on Behalf of
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at
Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo
Neil Gaiman, the award winning author of novels, film, and comics including the epoch changing graphic novel series The Sandman will take the stage for a benefit appearance on behalf of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). An “Evening with Neil Gaiman”, a paid ticketed event, will happen on Saturday night, April 17, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
The last time Gaiman performed theatrical readings was ten years ago when he did the "Last Angel Tour." On that tour, he criss-crossed the country doing sold-out evenings reading stories and poems, new material and beloved tales in order to draw attention to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The "Last Angel Tour" was meant to have been the last ever such tour, and it produced the long-since sold out LIVE AT THE ALADDIN film. Even the posters from that tour now sell for hundreds of dollars.
That was ten years ago. A generation has grown up who have not seen an evening with Neil Gaiman. In these ten years he's published such books as American Gods, Coraline and The Graveyard Book. He's made movies and operas. He even started keeping a blog.
"Neil Gaiman is an enormous personality and it is a genuine privilege to have him perform at the inaugural C2E2 to bring attention to the important work that is carried out by the CBLDF,” states Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for the Reed Pop Culture Group and Show Manager for C2E2.
"The Reed Pop Culture Group's commitment to the CBLDF is tremendous, and we're honored to work with them to create this unforgettable evening of storytelling to raise funds for the CBLDF's important work," says Charles Brownstein, the CBLDF's Executive Director.
An “Evening with Neil Gaiman" will be Mr. Gaiman's only public appearance at C2E2. Tickets for the event will be available at www.C2E2.com beginning Monday, March 8th at 12pm Central Time. You do not need a ticket to C2E2 to attend. Tickets for the general public start at $30 and C2E2 VIP Ticket Holders can attend for as low as $12. Ticket prices will increase at the door. Visit www.C2E2.com now for full details and ticket pricing.
For One Night Only. On the 17th of April 2010, at 7pm in the Arie Crown / IGN Theater at McCormick Place in Chicago. In support of the First Amendment. Neil Gaiman. You don't want to miss this.
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Hero Initiative travels to Orlando, Florida’s MegaCon
Guest appearances by Joe Benitez, George Perez, and Steve Perry
Grandstand Sports and Memorabilia silent auction and more!
Hero Initiative will be traveling to MegaCon, the southeast’s largest comic book, science fiction/fantasy, anime, toys and gaming convention. The event will take place March 12-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. You can purchase tickets directly by logging onto: http://heroinitiative.blogspot.com/2010/03/get-your-megacon-ticketsnow.html.
We have a whole lot going on!
First up, traveling along with us from Los Angeles is artist Joe Benitez, known for The Darkness, Batman, and Justice League of America! Stop by the booth and pick up an original sketch by Benitez. All proceeds benefit Hero Initiative.
Make sure you come back, because George Pérez, one of the most influential artists of all time, will be at the Hero booth. He’ll be sketching as well, and this is one you don’t want to pass up.
On Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., a special 11-man signing of Hero’s The Wolverine 100 Project will take place! Contributors Joe Benitez, Jim Calafiore, Mike Choi, Darwyn Cooke, Joe Jusko, Andy Smith, Bill Tucci, Mike McKone, Jimmy Palmiotti, Mike Perkins, and Brandon Peterson will be at the booth exclusively signing Hero's recent release. Get them while they are available, and get them signed by our team!
And that’s not all! Florida resident and acclaimed writer Steve Perry will be visiting the Hero booth as well. Perry is best known as one of the original writers of the Thundercats and Silverhawks TV shows, and Timespirits comics. Perry was diagnosed with cancer in February, 2009, and being the single father of a 9-year-old son, he struggled to make ends meet while battling his severe illness. After being homelessness, having no work and living in his car with his son, Hero Initiative is proud to have help Perry pull him through this difficult time. He will be giving back to say “thanks” by stopping by. Thank you, Steve!
Lastly, Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia has generously donated approximately 40 items that will be available through a silent auction. Items include a Hugh Jackman autographed Wolverine 8x10 Photo, Johnny Depp autographed 8x10 Photo, Elijah Wood autographed Frodo 8x10 Photo, Robert Downey Jr. & Jeff Bridges Dual Signed Iron Man 8x10 Photo and a Spider-Man limited edition lithograph with actual film cel, to name a few. The items will be on display in the lobby and at the Hero booth. Part of the proceeds will go to Hero Initiative.
Our Schedule is as follows:
Fri., 12 MAR, con hours 1-7
130-330: George Pérez
200-300: 100 Wolverines: Joe Benitez, Jim Calafiore, Mike Choi, Darwyn Cooke, Joe Jusko, Andy Smith, Bill Tucci, Mike McKone, Jimmy Palmiotti, Mike Perkins, Brandon Peterson
400-530: Joe Benitez
530-700: George Pérez
Sat., 13 MAR; con hours 10-6
1000-1200: George Pérez
1200-200: Joe Benitez
200-400: George Pérez
400-600: Joe Benitez
Sun., 14 MAR; con hours 10-5
1000-1200: George Pérez
1200-100: Joe Benitez
100-300: George Pérez
300-500: Joe Benitez
About Grandstand Sports and Memorabilia:
Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia Inc. is a domestic and international provider of hand signed authentic sports memorabilia. Since it's inception the company has held a domestic and international presence in both retail and wholesale markets. The corporate office is located in New York City. Aside from our charity and retail presence, Grandstand works with numerous corporations including: top sports internet sites such as espn.com and major financial companies. Grandstand also provides exclusive memorabilia to both Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's by mail catalogs. Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia
148 Madison Ave14th Floor New York, NY 10016, 212-532-8900, 888-78-GRAND
About The Hero Initiative:
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strict to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.
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Let me admit one thing. I chose this book based on one name in the description: Charles Vess. Hailing from a couple of towns over from mine and being oh so talented (in addition to being a nice guy), he's enough to make me buy a comic. Imagine my surprise when I saw his credit as colorist. However, I'm glad I picked this up. Elaine Lee's combination of prose and traditional comic writing and Michael Kaluta's fantastical art come together to make one of the most random and interesting reads in a long time.
The story opens with commentary on a fictional book, Mind Spiders from the Planet Xenon, and moves into a story of Bronwyn and her family. They are celebrating "Anything-Can-Happen Day" at Uncle Bob's Fantanimalland. When Bronwyn gets separated from her family in the Aguacade, her life is changed forever. There are other stories of the Multiverse, which is explained by Lady Scooter Jean, Maiden Priestess of Phoebus. This leads into Galactic Girl Guide Brusilla recounting her summer vacation. I enjoyed Bronwyn's story and Brusilla's story the most, but the stories in the middle were interesting as well. I did get the feeling I was missing something at times, but I think it's because I didn't have the advantage of reading the other issues.
Elaine Lee's writing is fantastic, but to me Kaluta's art is the star of the book. It is gorgeous and suits the fantasy of Lee's writing very well. Vess is a good fit for coloring because Kaluta's art is very similar. I loved every page (even the ones where I wasn't quite sure what was going on), and a few made me think, "Wow, this would be a great painting!"
The bottom line on this one is this: if you're a fan of fantasy or just want a random read, grab a copy of Starstruck. Even if the story doesn't make sense all the time, you can gawk at the lush scenery.
Stacy Rader
Senior Reviewer
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I loved The Incredibles. I have seen the film repeated times, and it gets better every time. It stands to reason, then, that if you combine those characters with Mark Waid, good things happen. And in issue 6 of the ongoing Incredibles title from BOOM! Studios, it did.
The first thing that struck me was Ramanda Kamarga's art. If you've ever wondered what it would have looked like if the film were traditionally animated, here you go. It's true to the style of the characters and that retro-futuristic sensibility, and Andrew Dalhouse's colors pop off the page. Sometimes with kids' titles it can be a trade-off between story and art, but this isn't the case. Waid and Landry Walker have crafted a story that is fun to read, and is a great adventure.
Even though I haven't been reading the entire series thus far, this issue made me want to go back and read all of the other issues, and definitely pick up next issue. If you want to feel like a kid again, or you have kiddos in the house that you want to share comics with, Dash (pun totally intended) to your local comic shop and pick up this title. (And FYI, comics are a great way to motivate kids to read. My mom used to buy me Archie comics to help bolster my vocabulary when I started reading before kindergarten. Long story short, I was always grades ahead of my classmates, I had great verbal skills, and I love comics to this day because of the memories I had sharing them with my mom. Just sayin'.)
Stacy Rader
Senior Reviewer
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Dynamite Entertainment and iVerse Media announced today their agreement to digitally distribute select Dynamite comics. The comics will be available on Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, and upcoming iPad, as well as Google's Android Mobile Devices through iVerse Media's digital distribution technology.
The first Dynamite title to be released will be Sherlock Holmes 1-5. Issue 1 will be released on February 24th, 2010 and will be free. Issues 2-5 will be released on a weekly basis thereafter, 1 issue per week, and will be 99 cents each.
Written by Leah Moore and John Reppion with reverence and a modern edge, Dynamite's Sherlock Holmes also features interior artist Aaron Campbell, and striking John Cassaday covers to complete the Victorian mood. Issue #1 begins the "Trial of Sherlock Holmes" which presents the great detective with an all-too personal quandary and explores the nature of the man and his world with a mix of refined ambiance, carefully crafted mystery and chilling suspense!
Subsequent Dynamite titles to be released via iVerse later this year include:
* Super Zombies 1-5
* The Complete Dracula 1-5
* Terminator: Infinity 1-5
* Raise the Dead 1-4
* The Complete Alice in Wonderland 1-4
iPhone and iPod Touch owners can find Dynamite titles inside the iVerse Comics Application, or as a stand alone digital comic. Simply search for the "Dynamite Sherlock Holmes" in the App Store located directly on their phone, in iTunes on their PC or Mac, or directly inside the iVerse Comics Application. With a few touches the digital comic will be downloaded onto their device. Google Android users will be able follow similar steps using an all-new iVerse Android Application later this year.
"Dynamite Entertainment has a very high quality and diverse catalog of titles in their library, and we couldn't be more pleased to offer some of that material digitally," said iVerse Media CEO, Michael Murphey. "Apple's devices are just the beginning - it's going to be a very interesting year."
About iVerse Media
iVerse Media, LLC (www.iversecomics.com) is a digital distributor of comic books for mobile platforms. Established in 2008, iVerse has quickly emerged as an innovator and leader in the mobile publishing field. With over 1.6 Million digital downloads to date on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch alone, the future looks bright as iVerse begins to expand to a variety of other platforms for publishers in 2010.
About Dynamite Entertainment
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT, the publishing division of DYNAMIC FORCES, INC., was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including Red Sonja, Project Superpowers, The Boys, Army of Darkness, Battlestar Galactica, The Lone Ranger, Zorro and more!
In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and best selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Michael Turner, Jim Lee, Michael Avon Oeming, Brian Reed, Mel Rubi, Marc Guggenheim, Stephen Sadowski, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner and a host of up and coming new talent and fan favorite creators.
DYNAMITE is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their more recent launches - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's PROJECT SUPERPOWERS - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a "GEM" award for Best New Publisher and another "GEM" in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious "Eisner" Award.
Aside from their monthly periodical comic book series, DYNAMITE also produces new and classic material, including Tim Truman's SCOUT, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso's BORDERLINE and TALES OF TERROR, Jim Starlin's DREADSTAR, as well as well as reprint editions of classic RED SONJA material.
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Acclaimed Writer Brett Matthews joins John Cassaday to launch a new Green Hornet comic!
Following the successful launch of Kevin Smith's Green Hornet and Matt Wagner's upcoming Green Hornet Year One #1, Dynamite Entertainment is proud to introduce an all-new, all-different Green Hornet in The Green Hornet Strikes! #1. But who is this Green Hornet? Is he a hero? A criminal? He doesn't even know, himself. In a near future where the financial crisis has not been resolved, Chicago is more corrupt than ever. The rich are few and wield unimaginable power and influence. The poor are countless and live without hope. Gangs vie for control of the streets. Heroes have long been forgotten, until now!
With Kevin Smith's Green Hornet reaching mainstream attention on MTV and WWE.com, not to mention his own Twitter account, now is the time to jump on the Green Hornet Bandwagon! The Green Hornet Strikes! #1 is an easily accessible comic book featuring the writing of acclaimed Lone Ranger scribe Brett Matthews, cover artist John Cassaday and interior artist Ariel Padilla! Witness the birth of a new Green Hornet in The Green Hornet Strikes! #1!
"The Green Hornet Strikes! features a new version of the character, in a near-future world where the financial crisis we face today didn't resolve neatly," says writer Brett Matthews. "At its core, it explores all the things THE GREEN HORNET has always been about -- corruption. The fine line between hero and criminal. Politics and legacy -- but through the filter of its young protagonist, who is a little less stable and certain of his actions. It's faithful to what's come before but definitely its own thing, like THE LONE RANGER but taking the approach much further. It's a unique book. It had to be, to earn its place in such a solid lineup."
"It's new and fresh, and not the typical Green Hornet story most know from the 1960's," states artist Ariel Padilla. "The comic has a futuristic feel, but it will have a different look that will surprise readers."
"Brett is a great writer with the ability to take a character to his core being, and flesh him out and make he or she more interesting. We're fortunate to have him with John Cassaday (the Green Hornet's #1 fan) and showcasing the art of Ariel Padilla in this new ongoing series. This is NOT the Green Hornet you know, but it will be a new one to enjoy!" stated Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci.
THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES! #1
Written by BRETT MATTHEWS
Art by ARIEL PADILLA
Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
32 pages $3.99
ABOUT DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT, the publishing division of DYNAMIC FORCES, INC., was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including Red Sonja, Project Superpowers, The Boys, Army of Darkness, Battlestar Galactica, The Lone Ranger, Zorro and more!
In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and best selling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Alex Ross, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Michael Turner, Jim Lee, Michael Avon Oeming, Brian Reed, Mel Rubi, Marc Guggenheim, Stephen Sadowski, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner and a host of up and coming new talent and fan favorite creators!
DYNAMITE is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their more recent launches - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's PROJECT SUPERPOWERS - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award.
Aside from their monthly periodical comic book series, DYNAMITE also produces new and classic material, including Tim Truman's SCOUT, Carlos Trillo and Eduardo Risso's BORDERLINE and TALES OF TERROR, Jim Starlin's DREADSTAR, as well as well as reprint editions of classic RED SONJA material.
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The CW Network has announced that its hit series “Smallville” will return in the fall of 2010 for a momentous tenth season.
“Smallville,” a modern retelling of the Superman legend, stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent. The series moved to Friday nights this season, where it currently ranks as network television’s #1 show in its time period among men 18-34 and men 18-49. Additionally, “Smallville” has dramatically improved The CW’s ratings performance in its Friday 8:00-9:00p.m.time period by 67% among adults 18-34 (1.5/6), 200% in men 18-34 (1.8/7), 75% in adults 18-49 (1.4/5), 183% in men 18-49 (1.7/6) and 74% in total viewers (3.12million).
“Smallville” joins the five previously announced series – “The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl,” “90210,” “Supernatural” and “America’s Next Top Model” – which will all return for another season on The CW.
“Smallville” was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Shanghai Noon,” “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”), based on the DC Comics characters. Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson serve as executive producers, along with James Marshall, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink and Warner Bros. Television. SUPERMAN was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
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New York Times bestselling author and IDW release new comic series in May
The critically-acclaimed and bestselling author of World War Z, the Zombie Survival Guide and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks brings his unique and acclaimed style to G.I. JOE comics with a five-issue miniseries: G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds, coming in May under license from Hasbro. The award-winning Max Brooks crafts a G.I. JOE series for an America at war, starkly contrasting intensely brutal portrayals of the dark side of the human condition with the light of hope in the most unlikely places.
“I tried to write a series as harsh and complicated as the times we’re living in,” said Brooks.
Exploring the effects of real-world war on the individual, every issue of G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds features two chapters, each spotlighting a different G.I. JOE or COBRA character. Brooks pulls no punches from the very beginning, starting the series with chapters on MAJOR BLUDD and SPIRIT.
“This is the G.I. JOE book that isn't about action figures. It's about people like you and me,” said IDW G.I. JOE editor Andy Schmidt. “And that makes it even more chilling than any zombie novel could be, because this one isn't about a plague--this one is about us.”
Brooks’s dark stories are masterfully brought to life by artists Howard Chaykin and Antonio Fuso, who will each also provide covers. In addition to the regular edition, IDW will be offering a limited number of signed editions.
An award-winning writer, Brooks has brought his own unique style to both TV and print, including as part of the writing team for “Saturday Night Live” for forty episodes from 2001 to 2003, which won an Emmy in 2002. Brooks’s The Zombie Survival Guide was released in 2003 and has sold well over one million copies worldwide. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War followed in 2006, became an instant bestseller and is currently in development to be a major motion picture. Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, Brooks’s most recent book, debuted at number one on the New York Times graphic novel bestseller list.
G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds #1 (of 5, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in May. Diamond order code: MAR10 0998.
G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds #1 Signed Edition ($9.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in May. Diamond order code: MAR10 0999.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.
IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Chris Gorak's NOLA wraps up with issue #4 and gets a second chance from me. I read the first issue and didn't really get into it, but decided that I may have missed something. Through the 4-issue series the title character has been on a roaring rampage of revenge, Beatrix Kiddo-style. (And if you don't get the reference, finish reading this review and go Netflix Kill Bill, Volumes 1 and 2. Seriously, do it. If you don't enjoy those few hours, let me know, and we'll discuss. But I digress.) Now, I'm the first to say that every revenge story shouldn't be compared to Kill Bill or its source material, Lady Snowblood, but it actually fits here. 
I got the sense throughout this issue that even though Nola was shooting first and asking questions later, she was totally justified. Which is good, because most of the issue is about her waving a pistol around. In between, however, we really get to see that revenge is the only thing that moves her forward. That's the thing I found most interesting about this book, and its greatest strength.
I'm glad I gave this book a second chance. Gorak's story was simple but kept me engaged throughout. If you've been reading this all along, of course you're going to pick this one up. If not, grab the other three issues, or wait for the trade. Either way, this title is a great addition to the BOOM! library.
Stacy Rader
Senior Reviewer
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Artists Get One-on-One Mentoring and Portfolio Reviews with Top Comic Book Editors
Five comic book illustrators with super hero-like artistic abilities have teamed up to use their powers for good–helping others realize their dream projects. Dave Dorman, Scott Hampton, Christopher Moeller, Durwin Talon, and John Van Fleet will be teaching Comix Academy, six days of intense instruction dedicated to helping illustrators break into the comics market. Joining them as Comix Academy’s very first special guest presenter will be Mike Mignola.
The workshops will be held in San Diego July 15 through July 20th, dovetailing with the start date of San Diego Comic-Con. The mission of the Comix Academy is to "provide guidance to students in a way that wasn't available to me when I was trying to find my way in the comics industry," explained co-founder and #1 Star Wars Artist Dave Dorman.
"We’ve assembled some of the best storytellers in the business to share their talents from visual storytelling and concept work to painting and 3D art. It’s going to be an exciting week!" said co-founder Durwin Talon, educator and author of “Panel Discussions” a book exploring the design of sequential art storytelling by Two Morrows Publishing. Added co-founder Scott Hampton, "The Comix Academy is about focusing on specifics. We have six days and we want them to count, so we're concentrating on where the attendees are right now with their art. We'll show students what we're doing, but just as importantly, we'll see what they're doing, what their goals are. I look forward to helping our students polish and improve the art they bring with them.”
To that end, the Comix Academy team will help students prepare their work for the comics and illustration industry, and culminate the course with a final day receiving one-on-one portfolio reviews with world-class comic book editors.
The early registration fee for the course is $950 before April 30th, 2010 and $1,150 after May 1, 2010. Discounts on lodging are also available to students. For more information or media inquiries, please contact 630.845.4694, email denise@writebrainmedia.com or visit http://www.comixacademy.com .
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DARK HORSE COMICS TO DONATE 5,000 COPIES OF ISSUE #1 TO U.S. ARMED FORCES TROOPS ABROAD
In conjunction with the release of the third explosive issue of Mass Effect: Redemption, Dark Horse Comics announced today that they will be donating 5,000 copies of the first issue of this popular series, which has sold out across the country, to U.S. Armed Forces troops around the world.
Dark Horse will work with Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) to ensure that these issues of Mass Effect: Redemption make it into the hands of the men and women serving in the U.S. military throughout the world. Every year publishers’ donations of Free Comic Book Day issues are sent to troops via PMG, this time the annual payload will be stocked with thousands of issues of Mass Effect: Redemption #1 for America’s fighting men and women. Copies will make their way to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as at bases in Europe and the Far East.
Mass Effect: Redemption tells the exciting back-story that led up to the events of Mass Effect 2, the recently released video game developed by the award-winning creative team at BioWare. The game’s lead writer Mac Walters takes up the pen to give fans exclusive insight into the events that unfolded between the conclusion of the original Mass Effect, and the beginning of Mass Effect 2. Scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man) and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars Legacy), this four-part series explores the exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass Effect, revealing previously unseen locations, aliens, and enemies of this rich science fiction landscape.
The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding a crew of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, stunning space exploration and emotionally engaging characters, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience. Mass Effect 2 was released on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29, 2010 in Europe and has been rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ‘18+’ by PEGI (please visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.eu for more information on ratings). For more news from the development team, please follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit the game’s official website at http://masseffect.bioware.com/.
For those who have yet to read the explosive comic series, both the first and second issues are currently available for download on iTunes for just 99 cents each.
Mass Effect: Redemption is the fifth title to arrive in Dark Horse’s ever-growing stable of comics available on the iPhone platform. Other titles available now include Gerard Way’s smash hit Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, Terminator: Death Valley, and multiple titles the critically acclaimed line of Star Wars comics.
For more information, please visit http://www.darkhorse.com/Features/Mobile.
About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the world's leading publisher of licensed comics material.
About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld, mobile and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles, including the award-winning Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and Sonic™ Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS™). Original BioWare-created intellectual properties include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montréal (Québec), and Austin (Texas), BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy roleplaying game, Dragon Age™: Origins, Mass Effect 2™, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, as well as several unannounced projects. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world's leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com
*BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS Freestyle™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
*BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. . All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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ARTIST ALLEY AT C2E2 TO INCLUDE OVER 250 ARTISTS!
Debut of New Chicago Pop Culture Event is “Enormous”, Notes Show Manager
Mayor Richard M. Daley Commends Organizers
Officials at C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), which is set to debut April 16 – 18, 2010 at McCormick Place in Chicago, have announced that over 250 artists have now been confirmed to appear in its Artist Alley. Convention organizers also note that there will be a total of 175 panels and screenings at C2E2 featuring top guests from every field of creative endeavor in the pop culture world. Additionally, there will be 200 exhibitors at the convention, creating an unparalleled business opportunity for all participants. In a recent announcement (December 4, 2009), Diamond Comic Distributors announced that they will hold their Diamond Retailer Summit in Chicago in conjunction with C2E2.
“We are working furiously on all fronts and our debut in Chicago will be enormous,” notes Lance Fensterman, Vice President for the Reed Pop Culture Group and Show Manager for C2E2. “Our Artist Alley now looks like it will be almost as big as New York Comic Con and the guests who we have already announced are among the top names in the pop culture universe. In addition, we are creating a first class business environment where our most important customers will be meeting with their most important customers. From the moment we first started thinking about building a massive pop culture event in Chicago, we knew we had to combine business with entertainment, and this is exactly what we have done.”
Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago states: "Comic books, with their innovative art work and creative storytelling, are reaching larger and larger audiences every year. Some of the most compelling new art in America is being made by the people represented here at C2E2. I commend the organizers for bringing this exciting Expo to our city and wish you all a memorable event.”
Show officials note that top exhibitors will be participating in C2E2 including: Aspen, Dark Horse, Image, Nintendo, Oni Press, Quirk Books, Random House, and Tonner. Both DC and Marvel will have 2500 square foot booths. “We are generating enthusiasm and attention for pop culture in the Midwest,” Fensterman concludes. “We are hearing about ancillary events that will be taking place in Chicago during C2E2 which are building on our own major show and presence. This is exactly what we had hoped for … a huge celebration that satisfies the fans and brings attention to our customers as well as their artists and creators.”
As noted, the C2E2 Artist Alley will boast more than 250 artists. Among some of the top artists who will be appearing in the C2E2 Artist Alley are Mark Bagley, Art Baltazar, Terry and Rachel Dodson, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Jim Valentino. These artists join many other creators participating in C2E2 including Keystone Guest of Honor Alex Ross as well as 75 other Guests of Honor and Featured Guests.
Organizers for C2E2 note that tickets for the show are selling fast and so all fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance! For more information on guests, tickets, or C2E2 in general, visit www.C2E2.com or check out the show’s official blog, MediumAtLarge at www.mediumatlarge.net, or follow C2E2 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/c2e2.
ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:
The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events. In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain's New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC. C2E2, which will debut April 16 – 18 at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched Star Wars Celebration in partnership with the Lucasfilm Ltd. and UFC Fan Expo. Additionally, it holds a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.
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Cartoon Art Museum and The Hero Initiative Present
A Benefit for Ed Hannigan:
WonderCon Weekend Party
Cartoon Art Museum Event: Friday, April 2, 2010 from 8pm to 11pm
Tickets: Sliding scale from $10 to $35
The Cartoon Art Museum and The Hero Initiative proudly present the museum’s Annual WonderCon Weekend Party, which will be held on Friday, April 2, from 8pm to 11pm. A portion of the proceeds from this special event will go to comic book artist Ed Hannigan, whose work is featured in the Cartoon Art Museum’s current exhibition Ed Hannigan: Covered.
Tickets for this event will be sold on a sliding scale. Ed Hannigan, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis, will receive a portion of the proceeds of all ticket sales above $20. Those who donate $35 or more will receive a special gift bag courtesy of the Cartoon Art Museum. A silent auction will be held at the party, and all proceeds from the auction will go directly Hannigan.
Many of the top talents from DC Comics and Marvel Comics will be in attendance as special guests of the Cartoon Art Museum and the Hero Initiative. Confirmed guests at press time include Arthur Adams, Amanda Conner, Sergio Aragones, Joyce Chin, Jimmy Palmiotti, Greg Rucka, Gail Simone, Jen Van Meter, and more to be announced.
Food and beverages will be provided by San Francisco-area vendors. Please visit www.cartoonart.org for a list of additional sponsors as they are announced.
About Ed Hannigan: Covered:
Hannigan worked extensively for Marvel Comics and DC Comics throughout the 1970s and 1980s, on such fondly remembered titles as Green Arrow, The Defenders and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man. Today, Hannigan is 58 years old and has multiple sclerosis. The Hero Initiative, a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to comic book professionals in need, and Marvel Comics have collaborated on a tribute book, Ed Hannigan: Covered, that features highlights from Hannigan’s artistic career. The Cartoon Art Museum will display some of Hannigan’s most notable covers alongside the cover and complete interior artwork for one of his most famous single-issue stories, The Spectacular Spider-Man #64, which introduced the crime-fighting duo Cloak and Dagger.
Sponsorship for this exhibition has been provided by The Comic Outpost. The Comic Outpost, located on 2381 Ocean Ave. San Francisco, CA has been fulfilling the needs of comic book lovers for well over 15 years. Current owners Gary Buechler and Roger Yan firmly believe their customer service and subscriber program is second to none. For more questions, visit their website at www.comicoutpost.net or call (415) 239-2669.
Also on display at the Cartoon Art Museum:
Batman: Yesterday and Tomorrow examines the works of six influential artists and their interpretations of Gotham City’s Dark Knight, including “Bat-Manga” by Jiro Kuwata, The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, Batman: Digital Justice by Pepe Moreno, a short story by Neal Adams, Batman: Year 100 by Paul Pope, and a re-creation of the first Batman story, illustrated by Bob Kane.
Drawing the Sword: Samurai in Anime and Manga explores the complex evolution of Japanese artistic traditions by demonstrating the ever-changing image of the iconic samurai, from classic Japanese woodblock prints through contemporary animation and comic book art.
Please visit http://www.cartoonart.org or call (415) CAR-TOON for an updated list of special guests and events, as well as additional information about the museum.
About WonderCon:
WonderCon, the first major comics and pop culture convention of 2008, takes place April 2-4, 2010 at San Francisco's Moscone Center South. For more information on WonderCon, please visit Comic-Con International's official website, http://www.comic-con.org
About The Hero Initative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strict to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.
Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.
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Playmates Toys has named Diamond Comic Distributors – the leading U.S. distributor of pop-culture merchandise -- as its exclusive distributor to service the specialty market nationwide.
“We are gratified by the trust Playmates has placed in us,” said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. “We look forward to helping grow and distribute Playmates' diverse and successful lines to our U.S. account base."
"With powerful entertainment brands iCarly and Shrek, "gotta have" pop icon Michael Jackson, the irresistible Rainbow Brite and urban vinyl-influenced gaming media brand Hero:108, we think the Diamond alliance is a perfect match to achieve our objective of strong placement at influential trend and entertainment venues," said Lou Novak, President Playmates Toys.
"Playmates furthers our goal of providing superior service through broad product offerings” added Roger Fletcher, Diamond’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “This agreement will help us deliver diversified retailer merchandising options that drives consumer traffic and sales."
ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS—the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise—Diamond is based in Baltimore, MD, and services more than 3,500 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.
ABOUT PLAYMATES TOYS— For over 40 years, Playmates Toys is among the most well respected and innovative marketing and distribution companies in the global toy industry with a proven history in the creation of innovative and imaginative products as well as the development and management of profitable, long-term brand franchises. Key brands include TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, STAR TREK, SIMPSONS, KING KONG, TOMB RAIDERS, DICK TRACY, EXOSQUAD, NANO PALS, iCARLY, DISNEY PRINCESS, DISNEY FAIRIES, BABY SO BEAUTIFUL, WATERBABIES and the AMAZING family of intelligent dolls. From its offices in Hong Kong and California, Playmates designs, develops, markets and distributes its products in over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.playmatestoys.com Playmates Toys Inc. (HKSE: 0869)
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