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News Archives: May 2009
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MIKE ALLRED AND THE GEAR END MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS THIS AUGUST!
Mike Allred ends his acclaimed series with big bang and a musical epilogue!
MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS comes to an end this August as creator Mike Allred wraps up an entire series' worth of stories in a final blockbuster issue and his new album, THE GEAR: LEFT OF CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, both featuring the return of characters from his highly praised hit RED ROCKET 7.
"MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS marks the end of an era, but definitely not the end of MADMAN at Image," Allred said. "MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS was a really fun time for me, Laura, Madman and friends. Working at Image gave us an unprecedented freedom with the book, allowing us to experiment like never before! I hope fans have enjoyed the trip thus far and will be back with us on the next leg once we get to it!"
MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #17 wraps a nearly two year run for the series, the longest for Allred and MADMAN in terms of consecutive issues, seeing his beloved superhero series finish off stories in the making since its inception as well as experiment in ways it never has before. Allred's run produced some of the most acclaimed issues of his career, including his tribute to the entire history of comics wherein each panel featured a different style of a famous creator. The final issue will also tie in his RED ROCKET 7 series in continuity for the very first time, leading in to his second, long-awaited album, THE GEAR: LEFT OF CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE.
THE GEAR: LEFT CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE amps up the psychedelic space rock influences hinted at on the first album and features special guest musicians including The Dandy Warhol's Courtney Taylor-Taylor. Furthermore, August's release is a limited edition Direct Market exclusive released well in advance of the mainstream edition and will include tracks not available anywhere else, including iTunes. MADMAN will return in a different form at Image Comics to be announced at a later date.
MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #17, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores August 19th, 2009. THE GEAR: LEFT OF CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, a full-length audio CD for $12.99 with a signed edition available for $24.99, will be in stores August 12th, 2009. The original RED ROCKET 7 collection (paperback -JUL082187, hardcover - JUL082188), a 209-page full color paperback for $16.99 and hardcover for $49.99, is available now.
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JOSH MEDORS BENEFIT AUCTION GOES LIVE ON EBAY!
The benefit auctions for artist Josh Medors are now live and on Ebay!
Starting at 9am PST, a new auction will list every minute until they are all
up. They will all start at $9.99 or less starting bids, and almost all without
reserves.
You can see them all as they list at:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/madman1138
Contributing artists include Frank Frazetta, Nat Jones, Tim Seeley, Mike
Allred, Josh Medors (of course), Ben Templesmith, Steve Kurth, Nick Bradshaw, Mark
Kidwell, Andrew Mangum, Ryan Winn, Richard Moore, Randy Kintz, Ken Haeser,
Buz Hassen, Colleen Doran, Phil Hester, John Stinsman, Russ Maheras, Matt
Martin, Rob Doria, and many more.
Because of the collectors who donated art, we also have great pieces by
artists who weren't able to contribute themselves, like Dave Finch, Tyler Kirkham,
Khoi Pham, Jason Howard, John Romita Jr, Ethan Van Sciver,Georges Jeanty, Scott
Clark, Steve McNiven, and so many more! Plus, there was a huge number of largely
unknown and/or amateur artists who donated some great work, so there should
be great art for every price range! And with how much we'll be listing, you
may get an unheard of deal on some of these goodies, on top of helping a good
cause.
Please take a look at the auctions on Ebay running all this week, and maybe
throw down a bid or two. The cause is noble, the art and selection is great, and
together we can make a difference!
Thanks for your time,
Dave Kopecki
madman1138@yahoo.com
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TYRESE GIBSON AND IMAGE COMICS UNLEASH MAYHEM AGAINST THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD THIS AUGUST!
The mega-popular superstar brings his unique creative vision to Image Comics this August!
Tyrese Gibson, the Multi-Platinum selling R&B singer and mega-star behind Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Death Race and 2 Fast 2 Furious, comes full force to comics with ANGEL artist Tone Rodriguez and co-writers Mike Le & William Wilson in August's three-issue action packed thriller, MAYHEM!
"I am extremely excited to be working with Image Comics on the launching my debut comic book MAYHEM," Gibson said. "Image has a long and rich history of great titles and I am honored to be apart of that history. Robert Kirkman's and Eric Stephenson's input throughout this creative process has been invaluable and I know we've produced a special comic book for all fans to enjoy."
Tyrese Gibson's MAYHEM begins on the streets of Los Angeles, wherein a brutal crime wave led by the mysterious Big X has the entire city in a state of perpetual fear. With even the police force unable to stop him, MAYHEM, a faceless vigilante with only his partner Malice and an unrelenting vengeance to back him up, strikes back against the criminal hordes. Within three issues of non-stop action, they will take on Big X to dismantle his organization and restore peace to the City of Angels.
Image Comics Chief Operating Officer and WALKING DEAD writer Robert Kirkman added, "With the entertainment world at large currently bowing at the feet of comics and its ideas, it's incredibly exciting to have a media mastermind like Tyrese Gibson turning his attention our way. MAYHEM is a unique, engaging comic-book experience that could only come from the mind of someone who's risen to the top of so many different fields--anxious to take another by storm. Ready or not, Tyrese Gibson is in the house--and it's going to be MAYHEM!"
MAYHEM #1, a thirty-two page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores August 5th.
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SPAWN'S ENDGAME REACHES ITS STARTLING CLIMAX WITH A MASSIVE SELL OUT IN TIME FOR THE LONG AWAITED COLLECTION!
SPAWN 'Endgame' storyline reaches the halfway point with a complete distributor-level sell out!
SPAWN, the long-running superhero saga recently relaunched by series creator Todd McFarlane and fellow Image Founder Whilce Portacio, kicks off the second half of its series altering storyline 'Endgame' with a distribution-level sell out making way for the upcoming collection.
"Our goal is to slowly build up momentum and the sellout of issue #191 is another indication that we're accomplishing that goal," McFarlane said. "With a majority of our single issues out of print, the release of the first Endgame collection couldn't be more timely."
SPAWN's current storyarc, 'Endgame', has seen the original Hellspawn, Al Simmons, end his life as the amnesiac Patient 47 awakens with Al's powers. Soon after, new horrors and allies have come into play with familiar faces, including Al's widow, Wanda and his worst enemy, The Violator. The next several issues promise to conclude Patient 47's transformation into SPAWN as the truth about his identity is finally revealed. Readers eager to read the entire first half of 'Endgame' can do so in the June-shipping tradepaperback. All fans are advised to check in with their local comic book store to see if copies of SPAWN #191 are still available.
SPAWN #192 (MAR092463), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.95, will be in-stores June 3rd, 2009. SPAWN, VOL. 1: ENDGAME PART 1 (APR090346), a 160-page full color tradepaperback for $14.99, will be in-stores June 24th, 2009.
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CHRIS GIARRUSSO'S G-MAN FLIES AGAIN THIS AUGUST!
MINI-MARVELS creator Chris Giarrusso brings back his creator owned hit in G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS!
G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS, an all-new mini-series by MINI-MARVELS' cartoonist Chris Giarrusso, brings back everyone's favorite kid friendly superhero to the Image Universe this August!
"Getting to work on G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS has been a long time coming," Giarrusso said. "I had a great time working on MINI-MARVELS while it lasted, but I've also had some G-MAN stories I've wanted to tell for a while. Short MINI-MARVELS back-up strips are always fun, but with G-MAN, I finally have the opportunity to tell brand new full-length feature stories in full comics. This is the most ambitious project I've ever worked on. Fans of the kid super hero stuff I did in MINI MARVELS will be sure to enjoy the all-new kid super hero stuff I'm doing in G-MAN. The writing style and art style are identical - it's the same writer and artist, after all! I'm having a blast, and I hope MINI MARVELS fans will take a chance and check it out."
G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS begins shortly after the ending to the upcoming G-MAN: LEARNING TO FLY digest, with pieces of G-MAN’s magic cape falling into the wrong hands and things spinning out of control. G-MAN and his friends must battle to recover the pieces, but this time, the bad guys have the same powers as G-MAN! The five issue mini-series will shed a whole new light on the G-MAN universe with friends old and new coming to the fold for his biggest adventure yet.
Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson added, "Chris' sense of humor and cartooning give G-MAN an appeal to both children and adults alike akin to Pixar's INCREDIBLES or WALL*E. We're very proud to have G-MAN as part of the Image Comics library."
G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS #1, a 32-page full color comic book mini-series for $2.99, will be in-stores August 12th, 2009. G-MAN: LEARNING TO FLY (MAR092415), a 96-page full color digest-sized softcover for $9.99, will be in-stores May 20th, 2009.
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IMAGE COMICS, TOKYOPOP AND BRANDON GRAHAM REOPEN THE DOORS TO KING CITY THIS AUGUST!
Brandon Graham's KING CITY returns courtesy of TOKYOPOP and Image Comics!
KING CITY, the Eisner-nominated major debut by cartoonist Brandon Graham, continues in an ongoing series presented in the deluxe, oversized format courtesy of TOKYOPOP and Image Comics!
"Continuing KING CITY has been a long time coming and I'm thrilled that TOKYOPOP and Image Comics are bringing it back in the best way possible," Graham said. "We're doing it as thirty-two page monthly issues, the first six issues remastering the original series along with as much cool new work as I can fit, in a format akin to Image's VIKING. Starting with issue 7, the series will consist entirely of all-new material. This is KING CITY looking better than I'd ever hoped- in burly, deluxe oversized serializations."
KING CITY is solely populated by the weirdest of the weird including Joe, a thief-for-hire with a cat capable of becoming any tool or weapon. Amongst his friends are his co-hort, Pete, who is too busy falling in love with an alien he’s forced to betray to assist in their latest mission and Anna, who can't help but watch her boyfriend literally turn into the drug he’s addicted to. The ongoing series will consist of remastered and original material, in the same deluxe format as Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein's VIKING.
Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson said, "Brandon represents a whole new generation of cartoonists coming into comics with a fresh eye for creating original material unlike anything else out there. We're excited to be working with both Brandon and TOKYOPOP on returning KING CITY to the stands in a way no one has seen before."
Added Mike Kiley, Senior VP at TOKYOPOP, "We'’re very happy that Brandon’s amazing book is going to appear in this deluxe format. I’'m especially looking forward to seeing Earthling J. Catingsworth III in all his over-sized glory.”
KING CITY #1, a 32-page black and white oversized comic book for $2.99, will be in-stores August 19th.
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LIVE AGAIN AFTER DEATH THIS JULY IN THE UPCOMING EXISTENCE 2.0!
Science fiction and noir crime combine like never before in July's EXISTENCE 2.0!
This July writer Nick Spencer and illustrator Ronald Salas give one man the chance to start life anew after dying in the science fiction romp, EXISTENCE 2.0.
"I brought this book to Image, because in all my years of reading comics I've never quite seen anything like it," Image Comics Vice-President Jim Valentino said. "The way Nick and Ron combine the standard tropes of crime and science fiction to create something wholly new blew me away. It's a comic I had to read and I couldn't be happier to publish it."
EXISTENCE 2.0 begins moments after self-absorbed physicist Sylvester Baladine finds his consciousness transferred into the body of the hitman who murdered him. Settling into his anonymous new life in a younger, better looking body, Sylvester is pretty content until he discovers that the very people who plotted his assassination have kidnapped the one person he treasured most in his old life - his daughter. With only limited time before she dies, Sylvester must dig up and face the past he was happy to bury and figure out who tried to kill him and why they want his daughter, inadvertently making himself a target once more.
EXISTENCE 2.0 (MAY090303), a 32-page full color series for $3.50, will be in stores July 1st, 2009.
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OLYMPUS TO EXPAND ITS PANTHEON OF COMICS RETAILERS!
New Image series, OLYMPUS, develops all-new retailer outreach program!
OLYMPUS, the upcoming action series of mythological proportions by writer Nathan Edmondson and illustrator Christian Ward from Image Comics, is looking to reach out to the many comic book retailers supporting the title with an incentive to boost customer awareness!
"Christian and I have worked hard to interact with as many retailers as we can, and the response has been magnificent and overwhelming," Edmondson said. "Unlike other entertainment mediums, comics does not thrive on the airwaves, but in the comic shops. It is a small-business driven industry, and that allows us the unique and rewarding opportunity to reach out to shop owners around the country."
Effective immediately, retailers from around the world are invited to send in photos of their employees holding up an ad, poster, catalogue or just about anything relating to OLYMPUS. In return, all participating retailers will have their pictures, anddresses and phone numbers printed in an upcoming issue! Photos can be sent to olympuscomic@gmail.com. Entries will also be posted at http://olympuscomic.blogspot.com.Edmonson will also be doing a number of in-store appearances to support both the book and the program, starting off with Criminal Records in Atlanta, GA on the first issue's day of release, May 20th from 4-7 PM.
OLYMPUS follows Hellenic myth of Pollux and Castor, two brothers who have been granted immortality by Zeus so that they can protect and serve mankind. Yet, after 3000 years, the gods have grown distant and disinterested, but the brothers are still bound to continue in their duty, no matter the consequences.
OLYMPUS #1 (MAR092402), a 32-page full-color mini-series for $3.50, will be in stores May 20th, 2009. For more information on the Criminal Records appearance please see www.criminal.com.
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Josh Medors Benefit Auction Announcement
By Dave Kopecki
This is a call to action!
As many of you may know already, artist Josh Medors (Frazetta's Swamp Demon & Sorcerer, Runes of Ragnan, 30 Days of Night) has been fighting a losing battle against a terminal form of cancer for well over a year, and it has recently taken a turn for the worst. The doctors and conventional medicine have all but given up on him and say there isn't anything else they can do. But he has found an alternative treatment that has the possibility of extending his life a bit and can help improve the quality of his life near the end so he can spend it with his wife and son. There is even a slim chance it can make him somewhat better, so he has to try. But of course the treatment is very expensive and Josh has no medical insurance.
So myself and my brother, Andrew Mangum (currently Josh's inker on Frazetta's Sorcerer) decided to arrange another benefit auction like the one they
did at Emerald City Con back in '08. This auction is different though because the last one was organized by Jay Fotos to help Josh pay his rising medical bills to fight the cancer, and this one is specifically to get the treatment he needs to be keep him around. I know there are a lot of fans and friends out there that want to help, so this auction series will be that opportunity. A wide variety of artists are contributing personal works and art from their collections just like last time, but this time it's open to collectors, fans, and everyone else. as well anyone can donate if they want to help! We just ask that it be comic or comic art related.
I have set up a special "preview gallery" for all the items as they come in on my Comic Art Fans webpage at
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=80032
You can see all of the artwork & items we will be auctioning there, as well as who donated it (unless they request to be anonymous) and all artists who donate their art will also have their websites listed if desired. Many packages of art are already on the way now and will be up soon, and the list of artists donating grows by the minute, so there is A LOT more art coming! Be sure to check back periodically to see what we'll be listing!
To donate something to the auctions, just email me at madman1138@yahoo.com or through my Comic Art Fans gallery (where all the art is) with a scan or photo of the item and the item information and I will send you the mailing address to send the goods to. I only ask the items be shipped to me in advance because there will be a lot to organize and package, and simplicity dictates that only one location handle it all. This is shaping up to be quite an undertaking, so I have to keep it as easy as possible. All donations must be received no later than Friday, May 22nd 2009 in order to be included in the auctions, which will start listing to Ebay on Saturday May 23rd.
Josh will also be selling off all of his remaining artwork to help cover these costs, and I will be helping him with that as well. So if you would like to buy
something of his now, please see the green "Art for sale-Josh Medors" gallery also on my Comic Art Fans at
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=77910
I will update this gallery with more art as Josh sends me more scans, but pages are available from Frazetta's Swamp Demon, Chucky, GI JOE, and more! All proceeds, after selling fees from all of this, will go to Josh to help him and his family in this dire time of need.
Because so many people have been asking about sending monetary donations directly to Josh as well, his Paypal email address is: jmedors3@columbus.rr.com
Sending $5 or $10 might not seem like much, but remember the water drops principle. A drop of water isn't much, but enough drops eventually fill the bucket. Every bit counts here and time is of the essence. Now is the time to act!
Please be sure to also include your name and address with the payment email through Paypal when sending money, because Josh wants to try and do Thank You cards with little sketches to all who donate (and some of the other artists might help out with that for him, so you never know what you'll get!)
Lastly, please only use his email address for Paypal payments and don't deluge his inbox with questions and well wishes. Although appreciated, he won't be able to reply to them.
Thank you for looking, and especially for helping! Together we CAN make a difference!
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