Available In North American Stores and Digital Download
BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and IDW Publishing today announced the launch of Dragon Age™, the comic book series, based on the critically acclaimed BioWare-developed video game Dragon Age: Origins. Dragon Age, the comic book series is now available at comic book stores throughout North America, as well as in digital format for mobile devices such as Apple’s iPhone™ and iPod touch® through the iTunes® App Store®, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Digital Comics system. Written by award-winning science-fiction author Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game, Ultimate Iron Man), the issue ranked among the top 20 paid book apps for the iTunes App Store within hours of its release. A preveiw of Dragon Age #1 is available here.
Dragon Age #1 will take readers to Thedas, a world where war has ravaged the land and mages once ruled through their mastery of dark arts and forbidden spells. Their lust for power nearly destroyed all existence when they unleashed the darkspawn, an unholy pestilence bent on the destruction of all life. Today, magic is carefully controlled, and rogue mages are hunted and put down with ruthless efficiency. These dangerous arts are taught only within the confines of the prison-like Circle of Magi, and monitored by the ever-vigilant Templars. Against this grim backdrop, a new generation of Mages must become masters, defy the Templars, and face a foe determined to bring about the annihilation of the world.
The Dragon Age comic book series also features other renowned writers and artists, including writer Aaron Johnston (Ender’s Game: Mazer in Prison), breakout artist Mark Robinson (Skrull Kill Krew), and renowned cover artist Humberto Ramos.
Six issues are planned for the Dragon Age comic book series.
Please visit idwpublishing.com for more information about the Dragon Age comic book series, unique “behind the scenes” content, news, blogs, and art.
For more information on Dragon Age: Origins the video game, please visit www.dragonage.com.
About BioWare BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur's Gate™, Neverwinter Nights™, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™, Jade Empire™ and Mass Effect™. BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec) and Austin (Texas). BioWare’s announced projects include the dark heroic fantasy game Dragon Age: Origins, as well as Mass Effect™ 2, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com; to join the millions of fans already registered on our community, go to http://social.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 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 of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.. iTunes, App Store and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. “PlayStation” and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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 comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. 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 EA Comics and 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.Read more...Read More
Some of the industry's best artists contribute to ELEPHANTMEN #25
Richard Starkings' ELEPHANTMEN turns 25 (issues, that is) in style! Each page of the issue is drawn by a profoundly talented guest artist, representing some of the best talent in comics.
The superstars contributing to ELEPHANTMEN #25 include (in order of appearance in the issue): Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), Moritat (Elephantmen, The Spirit), Gabriel Bautista (Popgun), Duncan Rouleau (Metal Men, The Great Unknown), Sheldon Vella (Kill Audio, Supertron), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Martha Washington), Dougie Braithwaite (Justice), Gary Erskine (Dan Dare), Steve Buccellato (Battle of the Bands), Whilce Portacio (Spawn, Image United), Ian Churchill (Hulk), Shaky Kane (The Bulletproof Coffin), Raul Trevino (Final Incal), Boo Cook (Judge Anderson), Paul Grist (Jack Staff), Ladr��(Final Incal), Marian Churchland (Beast), André “zymanowicz (Sushi Nachos), David Hine (The Bulletproof Coffin, Strange Embrace), Chris Burnham (Nixon's Pals) and Aaron Kuder, Brandon Graham (King City), Dan McDaid (Jersey Gods), Tom Scioli (Godland), Pia Guerra (Y the Last Man), Axel Medellin (50 Girls 50), and Rob Steen (Flanimals).
ELEPHANTMEN #25: THE BIG PICTURE is told entirely in splash pages and chronicles the history of the Elephantmen from one mans point of view, making it a great jumping-on point for new readers!
ELEPHANTMEN #25 (DEC090405), a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores on April 21, 2010.
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.Read more...Read More
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). Read more...Read More
Epic space opera adventure set in the EVE Online universe from CCP Games’ Main Narrative Creator Hjalti DanÃelsson
Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC—the largest publisher of science fiction in the world—and CCP Games are pleased to launch Hjalti DanÃelsson’s grand new space opera set in the universe of EVE Online, PC Gamer’s 2009 Game of the Year and the second largest MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) gaming universe with over 330,000 active subscribers. EVE: THE BURNING LIFE (A Tor Trade Paperback Original; 0-7653-2529; List: $14.99) goes on-sale nationwide Tuesday, March 30th.
A grand hybrid of space opera and military science fiction, EVE: THE BURNING LIFE stands on its own for readers looking for a rich and vast new universe full of danger and adventure. For both fans and newcomers, the novel offers a unique vantage point into the many wondrous realms within the EVE gaming world. "EVE is a deep, dark, expansive world full of wonder and often quite breathtaking events,” said DanÃelsson. “I've been telling stories in there for a few years now and am always amazed at how much the world has to offer. It's a very human, often very scary place."
Hjalti DanÃelsson has worked on EVE Online since the beginning, and currently serves as CCP's main narrative creator for the harsh universe of New Eden, the setting for EVE Online. He is the author of more than eighty short stories set in the EVE Online universe, along with various other works. A visceral writer whose aggressive prose and grand operatic scope is reminiscent of Iain M. Banks and Joe Haldeman, DanÃelsson’s literary talent and familiarity within the EVE universe make him the ideal candidate for a full-length novelization.
“The vast EVE universe is storied by the people who matter most, its players and fans,” said Eric Raab, Tor editor. “Our goal with the novels is to give not only EVE fans but science fiction fans in general, an exciting look into this great SF offering. THE BURNING LIFE takes us on an odyssey through worlds where the lines between good and evil have never been grayer.”
Set tens of thousands of years in the future, EVE Online is a breathtaking journey to the stars, to an immersive experience filled with adventure, riches, danger and glory. With over a 330,000 subscribers worldwide inhabiting the same virtual universe, EVE: Online boasts the largest, richest science fiction universe in gaming history, featuring a vast player-run economy and virtual professions ranging from commodities trader to mercenary, industrial entrepreneur to pirate, engineer to battle fleet commander, and much more.
About CCP Games CCP is widely recognized as an industry-leading pioneer of the single-server persistent universe architecture as the developer and publisher of EVE Online, the critically-acclaimed, science fiction-based massively multiplayer online game (MMOG). Utilizing a cross-discipline approach combining cutting-edge technology and artistic excellence, CCP is dedicated to providing vibrant, compelling products that transcend the boundaries of conventional MMOGs and facilitate social networking through virtual worlds. Privately held and founded in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1997, CCP’s international reach now spans the globe with offices in Atlanta and Shanghai as well as a base of operations in London. More information about CCP is available at the company’s website, www.ccpgames.com.
About Tor Books Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, is a New York-based publisher of hardcover and softcover books, founded in 1980 and committed (although not limited) to SF and fantasy literature. Between an extensive hardcover and trade-softcover line, an Orb backlist program, and a stronghold in mass-market paperback, Tor annually publishes what is arguably the largest and most diverse line of science fiction and fantasy ever produced by a single English-language publisher. Books from Tor have won every major award in the SF and fantasy fields, and for the last twenty-one years in a row the company has been named Best Publisher in the Locus Poll, the largest consumer poll in SF. Read more...Read More
Resident Evil Archives Makes the Classics New Again!
Series 2 features Jill Valentine, Hunter and a Labcoat Zombie!
Capcom's original Resident Evil might be the greatest horror game of all time. It's a cultural milestone -- the one that started it all. In June 2009, Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil was released on Nintendo Wii, and as more landmark RE titles are set for release this Fall, NECA is proud to present this collection of classic characters with improved decoration detail in Resident Evil Archives Series 2!
Jill Valentine is among the most memorable videogame heroines, and she appears in two different versions in Series 2, along with a vicious mutant Hunter and -- because you always need one -- a zombie in a labcoat (or, as we like to call him, Labcoat Zombie! These icons all come with multiple accessories and articulation and deluxue packaging with a display stand, and are on a zombie-blasting/brain-eating 7" scale
Resident Evil Archives Series 2 is available for preorders now. They'll be hitting shelves in May and of course will be featured on our Amazon storefront.
Keep it tuned to necaonline.com for more info on Resident Evil and other lines from your favorite games and movies.
The second season of Clone Wars continued Friday night in good form with the new episode "Cat and Mouse" which pits Anakin and Obi-Wan against a cunning new enemy, Admiral Trench. One of the great things about the series is that there is a kind of anthology vibe to the show as it jumps around in character focus, style and even time.
"Cat and Mouse" feels a lot like a tense submarine thriller, along the lines of The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide, with Anakin, Admiral Yularen, and their clones in the dark and claustrophobic confines of a small stealth ship attempting to outmaneuver their better-armed opponent. While it doesn't have the awe factor of some of the better episodes this season, "Cat and Mouse" is a strong piece of Star Wars storytelling.
Continuity is a difficult thing to nail down in The Clone Wars, as episodes are not necessarily aired in their chronological order, although there is apparently some sort of timeline present. "Cat and Mouse" seems to represent the earliest events in the series and take place prior to the events in The Clone Wars theatrical movie with served as a pilot to the series and introduced us to Ahsoka and the Battle for Christophsis. Last season's episode "Traitor" was set immediately before the movie, and "Cat and Mouse" is set even before "Traitor."
This episode introduces us to a great new villain, Separatist Admiral Trench, a member of an arachnid species that I believe has not been seen in Star Wars before and who sounds like a cross between Darth Vader and John Rys-Davies. Like any villain who is worth his salt, Trench is smart and competent and the episode is built around his search for Anakin and the stealth ship. Since Anakin is also (tactically) smart and competent, it makes for an interesting story to see these two worthy adversaries take each other on. Trench is also built up nicely by the normally cool Yularen's fearful reaction to him based on a previous encounter. Sadly, it is almost entirely certain that Trench is killed off at the end of the episode. But since the series does jump around a lot in time, perhaps we can see an episode based around his first encounter with Yularen.
Speaking of Yularen, it was nice to see him off the bridge for once and that he was given something to do other than standing around and being uptight. Pairing him up with Anakin for a mission was a nice touch.
Overall, "Cat and Mouse" as a solid-if not spectacular-entry to The Clone Wars as season two races toward its conclusion next month. You can check the episode out online at starwars.com.
Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on March 31st, 2010.
For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://marvel.com/catalog/?date=2010-03-31 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!
Comics On-Sale: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #627 (GNTLT) CLOAK AND DAGGER #1 DARK WOLVERINE #84 (S) DOOMWAR #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT FANTASTIC FOUR #577 INCREDIBLE HULK #607 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FOTHS) MARVEL PREVIEWS #80 NEW MUTANTS #11 PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #5 PUNISHER #15 PUNISHER MAX MGC #1 REALM OF KINGS: INHUMANS #5 SHE-HULK: SENSATIONAL THUNDERBOLTS #141 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (S) WOLVERINE ORIGINS #46 X-FORCE #25 (XN) X-FORCE #25 CRAIN VARIANT (XN) X-MEN FOREVER #20 X-MEN: SECOND COMING #1 X-MEN: SECOND COMING #1 FINCH VARIANT
Collections On-Sale: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY JMS ULTIMATE COLLECTION: BOOK 3 TPB CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER ULTIMATE COLLECTION TPB ESSENTIAL RAMPAGING HULK VOL. 2 TPB GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3: WAR OF KINGS BOOK 2 TPB IRON MAN & THE ARMOR WARS GN-TPB IRON MAN: EXTREMIS HC MOVIE COVER IRON MAN: EXTREMIS GRANOV COVER IRON MAN: I AM IRON MAN! TPB IRON MAN: TALES OF THE GOLDEN AVENGER GN-TPB NOMAD: GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD GN-TPB OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z VOL. 13 PREMIERE HC SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC BOOK 1 TPB SPIN ANGELS PREMIERE HC WOLVERINE ORIGINS: ROMULUS TPB
Posters On-Sale: SIEGE BY JOE QUESADA POSTER WOMEN OF MARVEL POSTER
*FOTHS= Fall of The Hulks tie-in *GNTLT= Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet tie-in *S= SIEGE tie-in *XN= X-Necrosha tie-in
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.Read more...Read More
It has been over 25 years since the A-team has premiered on television. The A-team has survived history through reruns. Coming soon to theaters is a new movie with new actors filling these roles of our childhood vigilante heroes. The A-teams premiers on the comic book shelves and in this issue B.A. Baracuss stars in his own story.
This is a one shot story of our Mohawk wearing anti-hero, B.A. Baracus. This is the tale of his downfall as a soldier in the military. The story is simple and not to compacted for the reader. The story has just the right amount of violence and plot to cover the 32 pages. This is a great little story to tide a person over until the movie premier within the next few months.
The artwork is surprisingly good for this story, it is similar to the current G.I Joe artwork in their comic books. If you are a fan of IDW military stories you will not be let down by this short story of B.A. Baracus. There will be two covers on your local news stands. One will be a picture of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and the other will be a portrait drawing of him as B.A. Baracus.
Ever wonder what heaven would look like on Supernatural? Take a peek this Thursday, April 1 at 9pm EST. Don't miss it.
“SUPERNATURAL” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) “Dark Side of the Moon” (TV-14, LV) (HDTV)
SAM AND DEAN ARE KILLED AND GO TO HEAVEN — Ambushed by angry hunters, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are shot and killed and sent to Heaven. Castiel (Misha Collins) warns Dean that Zachariah (guest star Kurt Fuller) is looking for them in Heaven so they need to lay low while searching for an angel named Joshua (guest star Roger Aaron Brown) who can help them since he talks directly to God. While searching for Joshua, the brothers run into some old friends and family members. Jeff Woolnough directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin (#516).
MAN OF ACTION, creators of BEN 10 and GENERATOR REX, to appear with Image Comics at WonderCon 2010
MAN OF ACTION, the creative collective behind the animated series BEN 10 and the upcoming Cartoon Network series GENERATOR REX, will be joining Image Comics for WonderCon 2010! All four members of MAN OF ACTION - Joe Casey, Steve Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and Joe Kelly - can be found at the Image Comics booth (#407) throughout the show. In addition, they will make several exclusive announcements of upcoming MOA projects to be published through Image.
"We're psyched to attend WonderCon -- all four Man of Action partners under one roof -- and we're looking forward to seeing everyone while we're camped out at the Image booth all weekend," says Joe Casey. "Let the madness begin!"
Individually, the partners of Man of Action have written, worked on or developed various popular comic book titles for Image, DC Comics and Marvel. Their creation of the mega-popular BEN 10 animated series has led directly to the new GENERATOR REX show, which is based on Image Comics' M. REX and will debut in late April on Cartoon Network.
Don't miss your chance to see all four members of Man of Action - Joe Casey, Steve Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and Joe Kelly - at Image Comics booth #407 during WonderCon 2010!
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com. Read more...Read More
Party at The Comic Art Museum benefiting Ed Hannigan Sponsored by Comic Outpost
Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic creators in need, is hoppin’ up to San Francisco’s WonderCon at the Moscone Center South Easter weekend April 2-4. Original art from a variety of artists will be for sale at the booth, and a huge party benefitting Ed Hannigan will take place the Cartoon Art Museum, sponsored by San Francisco’s own Comic Outpost!
The Cartoon Art Museum, The Hero Initiative and The Comic Outpost proudly present the museum’s Annual Wonder-Con Weekend Party, which will be held on Friday, April 2, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 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 at the Cartoon Art Museum booth on the floor at WonderCon, and at the door at the museum, 655 Mission St., just three blocks from WonderCon. Ed Hannigan, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis, will receive a portion of the proceeds. Tickets are available for $20-$35, with those who donate $35 or more receiving 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, Marvel Comics and more will be in attendance at the party as special guests of the Cartoon Art Museum and the Hero Initiative. Confirmed guests 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. Please visit www.cartoonart.org for a list of additional sponsors as they are announced.
Hero Initiative president Jim McLauchlin and Cartoon Art Museum curator Andrew Farago preview the Gallery's Ed Hannigan: Covered exhibit Friday, from 2p.m.-3p.m. at a WonderCon panel. See some of the great art that will be up for auction at the party, and catch the world debut of the Ed Hannigan video, celebrating the works of the great artist. Room 232/234.
Come by Hero’s booth, #637, and check out original art available for sale by Tim Sale, Darwyn Cooke and more. Adam Kubert will be at the booth and will draw four, only four sketches the whole weekend, exclusively for Hero! And last but not least, Hero is proud to offer an exclusive, limited edition print of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64, one of Ed Hannigan’s most famous covers. The print is a limited edition of only 150 pieces, and each one will be hand-signed by Ed. Prints are available at $25 each, and are sure to go quickly, go get to the booth fast!
Hero Initiative booth schedule as Follows:
Friday April 2: 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Gail Simone 2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Ed Hannigan Panel room 233-234 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m: Bill Morrison
Saturday, April 3: 11 a.m.-12noon: Matt Wagner 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Rev. Dave Johnson
Sunday April 4: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Bill Morrison 1-2 Rev. Dave Johnson
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.Read more...Read More
What happens when you mix Wes Anderson, George Clooney, and Roald Dahl? Something wonderful. Fantastic Mr. Fox delivers a poignant story that is well-acted and handmade.
If you've seen any of Wes Anderson's other films, you know what to expect: quirky characters, a fun soundtrack, and a heartfelt story that is funny and sweet without being heavy-handed. This time he's adapting Roald Dahl's children's novel (Anderson and fellow indie scribe Noah Baumbach wrote the screenplay). If not for the stop-motion menagerie of forest creatures, I would have thought this was a Wes Anderson film. George Clooney's Mr. Fox reminds me of his work on O Brother, Where Art Thou, as a family man trying to live on the up and up. Felicity, his wife, is beautifully voiced by the multi-talented Meryl Streep. She plays Mrs. Fox as a savvy vixen who just wants her family to be happy and her husband to keep his promise to stop stealing chickens.
Anderson movie staples Bill Murray (Badger), Owen Wilson (Coach Skip), and Jason Schwartzman (Ash Fox) lend their voices to the film. Schwartzman shines as the Foxes' awkward son, who is always living in the shadow of his cousin Kristofferson. Ash is described throughout the film as different. He just wants to be an athlete. I am a huge fan of Schwartzman as an actor, a musician, and now as a fox.
The first thing you notice about this film is its beauty. As a fan of stop motion animation, I am always mesmerized by the painstaking detail and handmade look it entails. In one of the extras on the DVD about the animation, we learn that Wes Anderson took his inspiration from the original King Kong film. So much so, in fact, that Anderson wanted the fur on the creatures to "boil", or move from frame to frame. The humans in the film are beautiful as well, but the most impressive screen presence is with the animals and their underground world. I loved the autumnal color palette Anderson used--it set a warm tone for the film that complemented the story.
As with most animated films, there's an element of adventure, but again, it's very Wes Anderson action. Anderson's action usually begins with a lot of dialogue (see Bottle Rocket or The Royal Tenenbaums). And that makes it better. Sometimes when I watch an animated film, I can appreciate it for what it is (a kids' movie), but the story doesn't really grab me. This film made me laugh, almost made me cry, and made me wish it was a half-hour longer. Like Coraline or Up, Fantastic Mr. Fox had an adult element to it but is totally accessible to the kiddos. I think for younger children it would be more about seeing the cute animals, but for more mature kids (and kids at heart), this is a phenomenal movie experience. One of the things that made me laugh was Anderson's use of the word "cuss" in place of curse words (like "What the cuss was I thinking?" or "Are you cussing with me?").
This film is a definite buy for Anderson's fans, but it would be a bright spot in any film collection. Its depth and handmade look make it one of the best films of 2009 and one of the best animated films I've ever seen.
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