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News Archives: January 2008
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REIGN OF THE SUPER DEAD!
WALKING DEAD #50's superhero cover now available as 1-in-25!
24 January, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - In celebration of THE WALKING DEAD #50, Image Comics announced a limited 1-in-100 superhero variant cover featuring the art of SAVAGE DRAGON's Erik Larsen and INVINCIBLE's Ryan Ottley, but due to the unprecedented level of demand and retailer
suggestions the cover will now be 1-in-25.
"My original intention was to make this a super-rare, limited thing, since the cover itself is so misleading as to what the book actually is. I didn't want people to be confused and think I'd changed the book drastically. Although, based off feedback I've decided to make it much more accessible," said Walking Dead writer Robert Kirkman. "I hope those readers and retailers
excited for the cover enjoy it as much as I do."
Since 2003, WALKING DEAD has chronicled the post-apocalyptic journey of Rick Grimes, his family and the other survivors they meet along the
way. Series artist Charlie Adlard has given the title a very distinct, bold sense of horror and adventure, but with this superhero cover Kirkman went with a very different approach by having Image Comics Publisher and SAVAGE DRAGON creator, Erik Larsen, team up with INVINCIBLE's Ryan Ottley to create a WALKING DEAD homage like none other.
Erik Larsen said, "When Robert told me the original idea, I thought it was crazy - which meant I had to be on board! The combination of my pencils with Ryan's inks created an art style far different from what either of us do solo. I'm really hoping we can work together again!"
WALKING DEAD #50 (FEB082109), a black & white comic book for $2.99, will be available on April 23rd, 2008. The Erik Larsen & Ryan Ottley superhero variant will be available as one for every twenty five copies ordered.
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IMAGE COMICS SELL OUT DOUBLE FEATURE!
FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER #5 and THE LUNA BROTHERS' THE SWORD #4 simultaneously sell out!
23 January, 2008 - Despite significant overprints, two of Image's best-selling titles, FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER #5 and THE SWORD #4, simultaneously sold out at a distribution level.
"Everyone on the DEATH DEALER team couldn't be more excited as this marks our fifth sell out," said Frazetta Comics editor Jay Fotos said. "We're very thankful for Frank's loyal, rabid fan base. Based off the reaction to DEATH DEALER, I'm confident they'll enjoy the upcoming Frazetta comics such as DARK KINGDOM and SWAMP DEMON."
FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER #5 marks the penultimate issue to the only Frank Frazetta approved DEATH DEALER series to hit the stands. Due to its continued success an oversized, deluxe hardcover edition will arrive this April. In addition, the Luna Brothers' THE SWORD has thus far sold out soon after each issue's release. Fans eager to read the series are encouraged to do so now, as the first trade paperback will not be available until June 25th, in time with issue #9.
"We’re seeing a rise in The Sword’s sales, so we’re happy that more people are getting into and enjoying this series," said SWORD artist Jonathan Luna. "As always, we appreciate the support of the fans and retailers."
SWORD writer Joshua Luna added, "This is a story that Jon and I are having an absolute blast creating. We’re putting everything we love to write and draw about into The Sword: drama, action, supernatural elements and mystery. Plus, as always, we strive to make it accessible to all readers--well, at least, to the ones who can handle limbs getting chopped off."
FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER #5 2nd Ptg. (NOV078143), a 32-page full color comic book with a gold foil cover for $3.99, is available now. THE SWORD #4 2nd Ptg. (NOV078122), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be available in stores January 23rd, 2008.
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IMAGE KEEPS THE YOUNGBLOOD FLOWING
YOUNGBLOOD gets second printing to keep issue in-stock!
18 January, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - With YOUNGBLOOD's return to Image Comics being reordered at an exponential rate, Image Comics has gone back to press to ensure copies are available for the foreseeable future.
"We anticipated a high level of interest in Joe and Derec's work on YOUNGBLOOD, but we were frankly caught off-guard by the amount of advance reorders the book generated as press time drew closer," said Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. "We're thrilled with what the guys are doing with the book, though, and want to make sure copies are available for everyone interested in checking it out."
The new YOUNGBLOOD comes courtesy of THE LAST DEFENDER's Joe Casey and GREEN ARROW's Derec Donovan, who previously worked together for a sixteen-issue run on ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, while being overseen and featuring variant covers by series creator Rob Liefeld. YOUNGBLOOD marks Casey's second acclaimed relaunch of an Image classic. With WILDCATS, Casey was praised for upgrading the original concepts with a post-modern spin. Similarly, YOUNGBLOOD's new direction combines the bombastic beginnings of Liefeld's celebrity heroes such as Shaft and Badrock with the more classic approach developed by Alan Moore, featuring new heroes such Johnny Panic and Doc Rocket and Casey's own sensibilities. In addition, a limited, black and white Rob Liefeld variant cover will be made available on as a 1-in-4 cover for retailers ordering the second printing.
YOUNGBLOOD #1 2nd (DEC078061), a 32-page comic book for $2.99, will be available in stores January 30th, 2008.
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RETURN TO THE DARK KINGDOM
Tim Vigil, Mark Kidwell and Jay Fotos return to a Frazetta classic
17 January, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) – This April, Frazetta tradition of epic dark fantasy continues as the masterpiece DARK KINGDOM roars to life from the canvas to a full-color 32-page one-shot written by 68's Mark Kidwell and featuring the return of FAUST artist Tim Vigil.
"DARK KINGDOM is the type of project that's impossible to pass up," said Vigil. "How do you say no to working with one of the masters of modern illustration? It's incredibly inspiring, and I couldn't be happier. I'm doing my best to uphold the tradition of quality started by the DEATH DEALER miniseries."
In 2007, the very first fully approved Frank Frazetta comic book made its debut with DEATH DEALER, a six-issue miniseries that received acclaim and praise from all over the industry for its adaptation of the story behind the original paintings. The same attention and care is being brought to DARK KINGDOM, to accurately translate the power and intensity of the original work.
DARK KINGDOM (FEB082115), a 32-page one-shot for $3.99, will be in stores April 2nd, 2008.
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EASTER'S GOT A BRAND NEW SAVIOR!
ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER this April!
January 15th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This April Archibald the Aardvark reveals Hell hath no fury like an Aardvark scorned within the pages of ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER, the much anticipated, mature readers follow up to last winter's ARCHIBALD SAVES CHRISTMAS.
"Writer Dwight MacPhearson and I had too good of a time working together on ARCHIBALD SAVES CHRISTMAS to not do a follow up," said artist and creator Grant Bond. "It's a unique opportunity to explore both my humorous and sadistic sides."
ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER continues the story behind Archibald Aardvark, one of cartoons biggest stars of yesteryear who may or may not be a vicious serial killer. However, when his closest friends personal demons turn out to be literal, they find his Hyde-like alter ego may be the key to saving them all.
Shadowline President Jim Valentino said, "Shadowline strives to showcase the newest and most interesting talent emerging into the industry. Both Dwight and Grant are certainly high up on our list of favorite finds."
ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER, a 32-page two-color comic for $3.50, will be on stands April 2nd, 2008.
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PERHAPANAUTS KEEP COMING
The battle of the super cryptics goes monthly!
January 14th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Hot off the heels of this February's PERHAPANAUTS ANNUAL, Craig Rousseau and Todd Dezago return this April with the ongoing adventures of everyone's favorite crypto-zoological super-team!
"Getting PERHAPANAUTS out on an ongoing basis has been a goal of ours since its inception," said writer Todd Dezago. "As fans of the series know, we have a love for introducing background elements that eventually become major players later on. While we highly enjoyed our previous mini-series, this new ongoing series will allow us to fully explore all the ideas we've had brewing for years!"
PERHAPANAUTS is a book that features quite a few familiar faces from urban legend, but with an entirely new view. Bigfoot - yes, THAT bigfoot - heads up a team consisting of psychics, paranormals, dimension hoppers and even a chubacabara against menaces from beyond the outer edges of reality!
Artist Craig Rousseau said, "Drawing PERHAPANAUTS would be any artists dream come true - the book features all the best parts of superhero stories and tales of terror with a good balance of heart and suspense. It's a cliche, but here's it's true - we're set out to make a book where anything is possible."
PERHAPANAUTS #1, a full-color ongoing series for $3.50, will be in stores April 16th, 2008.
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NIXON'S NOT A CROOK, BUT HIS PALS ARE!
Joe Casey and Chris Burnham bring hard boiled super crime this March!
January 10th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This March YOUNGBLOOD's Joe Casey and rising star Chris Burnham dig deep into the hidden super-villain
underbelly of Los Angeles this March in the 120-page graphic novel, NIXON'S PALS.
"The 'Nixon' in NIXON'S PALS is Nixon Cooper, parole officer to Los Angeles' ever growing super-villain scene," said writer Joe Casey.
"This is hard boiled storytelling, basically putting a superpowered spin on what I love in crime fiction by writers like Elmore Leonard and Jim Thompson."
Casey is not comparing NIXON'S PALS to Leonard's work lightly. The world of NIXON'S PALS is far from bright, with Burnham bringing
a refreshingly unique twist on the conventional grim and gritty super tale.
Burnham said, "Not only is Joe the type of writer who lets an artist run free, but NIXON'S PALS is exactly the type of comics I love to draw.
It's an insane romp, filled with giant furnance robots, sentient breasts, and a ton of really vile bastards. It's fun for the whole family!"
NIXON'S PALS (JAN082057), a 120-page black and white graphic novel for $12.99, will be in stores March 26th, 2008.
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ROAD TRIP FROM HELL
URBAN MONSTERS hit the road this February!
January 9th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) It’s been said that Hollywood is controlled by monsters and in February’s URBAN MONSTERS, four creatures head on a road trip to make that statement literal.
"URBAN MONSTERS pokes a lot of fun at the post-Warhol American Dream wherein everyone's after their fifteen minutes of fame," mini-series co-writer Joanne Moore said. "Our four road trippers learn not only that attaining any dream is hard, you'll have a heck of a time getting anywhere near it!"
Such dreams of fame hit a misfit group of east coast friends consisting of a beastman, a satyr, a fish-man and a zombie who strike out west on a country wide road trip. URBAN MONSTERS was created by Andrew Stroscher for noted television producer Vin Di Bona’s first foray into the comics medium and features the writing talents of Will Wilson & Joanne Moore alongside fan-favorite Tone Rodriguez on art duties.
Shadowline President Jim Valentino said, "URBAN MONSTERS is a wonderful fit in the eclectic lineup of titles under the Shadowline banner. Each book we publish is unique to everything else both in our line and on the stands altogether. We're very happy to have Andrew, Will, Joanne and Tone on board."
URBAN MONSTERS (DEC072051), a 3-issue 32-page miniseries for $3.50, will be in stores February 27th, 2007.
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BACK ON THE HORIZON
THE INFINITE HORIZON Returns to Store Shelves!
January 7th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Following excellent reviews and a free convention preview, the debut issue of THE INFINITE HORIZON sold out at a distribution level and will return to store shelves alongside the second issue. on January 9th with a new cover by artist and series co-creator Phil Noto.
“Working with Phil Noto has been a true dream, I’ve been a fan of his for a long time,” said Writer Gerry Duggan. “We’re both ecstatic about the very gratifying reviews and then selling out of the first issue from the distributor. We think every issue gets better, and we want to take a second to thank the fans, retailers and reviewers that have all supported this new comic book.”
The reprint of the first issue of THE INFINITE HORIZON (OCT071959) and the brand new second issue (NOV072044), both 32-page comics for $2.99, will be available January 9th, 2008. The oversized third issue (DEC072091) will feature the soldier with no name against the Cyclops and arrive on racks in late February with a cover price of 2.99. For more information please visit http://www.the-infinite-horizon.com/site and http://www.imagecomics.com.
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