Mandeville and Top Cow Shoot for Feature Adaptation of “Crosshair”

Mandeville Films’ partners David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman announced today that Mandeville and Top Cow Productions will join forces to produce a feature film version of Top Cow’s comic book “Crosshair.” Mandeville learned of the project of the eve of San Diego’s Comic-Con, and, after extensive negotiations, closed the deal over the weekend to adapt the comic to the big screen.

Created by Marc Silvestri, written by Jeff Katz, and illustrated by Silverstri and Allan Jefferson, “Crosshair” follows a former CIA assassin turned suburban superdad who faces his most dangerous enemy ever - himself. Justin Weller learns that he has 48 hours until a suppressed program in his brain will turn him into an unstoppable killing machine aimed at the President of the United States. Weller races against the clock to uncover and reverse the source of his trigger.

“When Top Cow showed us this story, we jumped at the chance to work on this project with them,” said Hoberman. “Our companies are similarly aligned with the goal of delivering one-of-a-kind stories.”

“Crosshair is a unique premise in which the main character is both the hero and the villain,” said Lieberman. “This dichotomy is very unsettling, which makes it a fantastic twist for audiences.”

"After working with the Mandeville guys on ‘Alibi,’ we knew Crosshair could not be in better hands,” said Top Cow President Matt Hawkins. “When they said they wanted to turn the property into film, Marc Silvestri and I were incredibly excited."

Mandeville’s partners Hoberman and Lieberman will produce. Crosshair writer Katz will co-produce for Top Cow. Executive producers are David Manpearl of Mandeville, “Crosshair” Creator Silvestri and Top Cow‘s Hawkins.

Top Cow lit up the comic book industry when Universal’s adaptation of Top Cow’s “Wanted,” starring Angelina Jolie, scored $207 million in worldwide box office in 2008.

This is the second collaboration between Mandeville and Top Cow. At last year’s Comic-Con, the two joined forces to develop a feature version of Top Cow’s title, “Alibi.”

Jim Balent's Broadsword Comics at Comic Con

Photo by E. Lacey, Metal Life Magazine

Metal Life Magazine visited with our friends Jim Balent and Holly Golightly at the Broadsword Comics booth at Comic Con 2010. They create the comic Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose, an adult themed paranormal comic full of magick and action and a lot of scantily clad (or not clad) women. This comic is well worth the read as their legions of fans can attest to. Issue 64 is about to hit the shelves and the story just gets better and better.

Broadsword also had some San Diego Comic Con exclusives this year. They had 2 sketchbooks and a "Silver Tarot" PVC Statue Signed Deluxe Package with Art print.


Photo by E. Lacey, Metal Life Magazine

Jim Balent loves his fans and he spends his entire Comic Con sitting at his booth offering free sketches. Jim is called away here and there to attend a panel, but his dedication to his fans is very apparent and deeply appreciated by each attendee that gets a sketch. Jim loves to chat with each person while he doing their sketch and that offers a great opportunity to truly connect.

Check out the sketch Terry from Metal Life got this year:


For more information about Broadsword Comics, visit their website: http://www.jimbalentstudios.com/

Collider Entertainment announce first projects

Friday, July 23, 2010-San Diego, CA (COMICON): Producer/Writers MARC GUGGENHEIM and ALISA TAGER have announced the formation of COLLIDER ENTERTAINMENT, a company focused on the principle that Intellectual Property can be developed across multiple platforms for production and global distribution simultaneously. The company will have multiple creators writing and directing stories for film, television, comic books, video games and alternative/new media outlets.

The first two projects will originate as comic books and be published by Image Comics:

UTOPIAN, is by Guggenheim & Tara Butters (REAPER, DOLLHOUSE.) The project between Guggenheim and Butters, both of whom are professional writers and are married but have never written together until now tells the story what happens when the world's superheroes are rendered obsolete when war, famine and crime suddenly begin to disappear. One hero investigates the source of the newfound tranquility, but his former comrades oppose his efforts to return the world to normal.

The second title, THE MISSION, by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber (RED, BATTLESHIP) is a supernatural thriller about a man who receives instructions from the angel Gabriel to commit murder but is he crazy or is there really a divine force at work?

Guggenheim commented, "Collider is founded on the notion that when story drives the idea, unfettered by licensing and outdated business models, the end product is better and, therefore, more commercially viable."

Tager continued, "Our philosophy is that the story drives the idea, rather than the medium determining the story. The result is only limited by the imagination of the creator."

5 superstars to do covers for Days Missing: Kestus

ALEX ROSS, DALE KEOWN AND DAVID MACK AMONG THE ARTISTS ILLUSTRATING THE COVERS TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF THIS HIT MINISERIES



Los Angeles, CA (July 22, 2010) – At today’s Archaia: Black Label panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Archaia Entertainment and Roddenberry Productions proudly announced the all-star line-up of cover artists for the second volume of the critically-acclaimed comic book series DAYS MISSING.



A different artist will illustrate each of the five upcoming covers of Days Missing: Kestus. As previously announced, Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Astro City) will be creating the cover for issue #1. Jorge Molina (Marvel Superhero Team-Up, What If? Spiderman: House of M) will design the cover of issue #2, and Ryan Benjamin (Grifter/Midnighter, New Mutants) will lend his talents to the cover of issue #3. David Mack (Daredevil, Atomika) has signed on to draw issue #4’s cover, and Dale Keown (The Darkness, Pitt), who illustrated all of the covers for Days Missing volume 1, will return to illustrate the cover to issue #5.



“Each talented cover artist brings his own perspective of The Steward and Kestus to the series, which creates a richer, deeper understanding of these multi-layered characters,” said Roddenberry Productions Head of Development Trevor Roth.



Artist David Marquez (Syndrome: The Graphic Novel) will illustrate the pages of all five issues of the continuing epic, which fan-favorite and Eisner Award-nominated author Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) will write.



Days Missing: Kestus continues the tale of The Steward, a mysterious being who has the ability to literally “fold” days of time, secretly removing critical days from history. At the end of the first series, hints were dropped that The Steward was not alone in his powers. The second series will focus on his relationship with a new being, Kestus, as well as more days for him to “fold.”



Hester and Marquez joined Archaia’s SDCC panel along with Roddenberry Productions’ CEO Rod Roddenberry. Fans were treated to a limited run, complimentary preview book written by Creator Trevor Roth and drawn by David Marquez.



“Archaia and Roddenberry Productions have assembled five of the best cover artists in the industry today to lend their talents to this exciting franchise,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “It just goes to show that Days Missing is one of the best science-fiction comics out there, and this new set of issues will not only just add to its popularity, but bring in new fans!”



Issue #1 of Days Missing Vol. 2: Kestus (five-issue miniseries, full color, $3.95, 32 pages, Diamond Order Code JUL10 0764) is set to debut in September wherever comic books are sold.



Days Missing: Kestus will be published under Archaia’s new Black Label line of titles, which specializes in co-developing intellectual properties with prestigious partners who are seeking to flesh out and realize their original ideas through the use of Archaia’s resources.


Future updates on the series, including preview images and other behind-the-scenes material, can be found at www.daysmissing.com.

ARCHAIA’S San Diego Comic Con Schedule

Los Angeles, CA (July 20, 2010) – In anticipation of the largest gathering in North America of comic book and pop culture fans, Archaia Entertainment announced it will be hosting over 40 writers and artists for autograph sessions and meet-and-greet opportunities at its booth at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif., to be held July 22-25, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Guests of special note include Brian Froud, a veteran of The Jim Henson Company, who will be on hand to sign exclusive posters for the upcoming Dark Crystal comics; actor/writer Michael McMillian (“True Blood”), who will sign copies of Lucid #1, the first comic to come from the partnership between Before the Door and Archaia; actor/writer/producer/director Dan Fogler (“Fanboys,” “Balls of Fury”), who will be signing a preview book of the upcoming Moon Lake, a hardcover anthology of comedic horror stories; Eisner Award-winning creator David Petersen, who’ll be on hand to sign copies of Mouse Guard; Tom Siddell, who will sign copies of the two volumes of Gunnerkrigg Court; Matz, the Eisner Award-nominated writer who will sign copies of The Killer, a popular series originally published in France that has captivated American readers; and Eisner Award-nominated writer Phil Hester, who will sign copies of the Archaia and Roddenberry Productions hardcover, Days Missing. Plus, writers and artists who contributed to the Fraggle Rock comic book will be around all weekend to sign copies of the new hardcover collection.

“Our mission for San Diego Comic-Con is twofold: to thank our loyal readers by rewarding them with the opportunity to meet their favorite Archaia writers and artists, and to reach out to those who may have not yet heard of us but are willing to try something different,” said Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo. “By having over 40 creators rotating at the Archaia booth throughout the weekend, I believe we’ll accomplish just that!”

Archaia will be located at Booth #2635. Here is the schedule* of signings and appearance times:

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Table 1
5:30-7 p.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)
7:30-9 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey, Jesse Labbé)

Table 2
5:30-7 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love)
7-8 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Leigh Dragoon)
8-9 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Adrianne Ambrose)

Table 3
5:30-7:30 p.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)
7:30-9 p.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)

Table 4
5:30-7:30 p.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)
7:30-9 p.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)

Featured Table
5:30-9 p.m. GUNNERKRIGG COURT (Tom Siddell)

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Table 1
9-11:30 am. GUNNERKRIGG COURT (Tom Siddell)
11-30 a.m.-1 p.m. THE GOD MACHINE (Chandra Free)
1-3 p.m. THE ENGINEER (Brian Churilla, Jeremy Shepherd)
3-5 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
5-7 p.m. RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN (Jim McCann, Janet K. Lee)

Table 2
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Grace Randolph)
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Leigh Dragoon)
12-1:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love)
1:30-2:30 p.m. FRAGGE ROCK (Katie Cook)
2:30-4 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Michael DiMotta)
4-5:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Heather White, Jeff Stokely)
5:30-7 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Adrianne Ambrose, Nichol Ashworth)



Table 3
9-11:30 a.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)
2-4 p.m. KILLING PICKMAN (Jason Becker)
4-6 p.m. DAYS MISSING (Trevor Roth, David Marquez, Phil Hester)
6-7 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)

Table 4
9-11 a.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. TUMOR (Joshua Hale Fialkov)
12:30-1:30 p.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)
1:30-2:30 p.m. HYBRID BASTARDS! (Tom Pinchuk)
2:30-4 p.m. ARTESIA (Mark Smylie)
4-7 p.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)

Featured Table
9-10:30 a.m. FEEDING GROUND (Swifty Lang, Michael Lapinski, Christopher Mangun)
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MOUSE GUARD (David Petersen)
12:30-1:30 p.m. TUMOR (Joshua Hale Fialkov)
1:30-2:30 p.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)
2:30-3:30 p.m. HYBRID BASTARDS! (Tom Pinchuk)
3:30-5 p.m. THE DARK CRYSTAL (Brian Froud, Wendy Froud)
5-6 p.m. MOUSE GUARD (David Petersen)
6-7 p.m. ARTESIA (Mark Smylie)

Friday, July 23, 2010
Table 1
9-11:30 a.m. RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN (Jim McCann, Janet K. Lee)
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. THE ENGINEER (Brian Churilla, Jeremy Shepherd)
2-3 p.m. THE GOD MACHINE (Chandra Free)
3-5 p.m. GUNNERKRIGG COURT (Tom Siddell)
5-7 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)

Table 2
9-10:30 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Michael DiMotta)
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love)
12-1:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Adrianne Ambrose, Amy Mebberson)
1:30-3 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Heather White, Jeff Stokely)
3-4:30 FRAGGLE ROCK (Nichol Ashworth, Leigh Dragoon)
4:30-5:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Katie Cook)
5:30-7 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Grace Randolph,

Table 3
9-10:30 a.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)
12:30-2:30 p.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)
2:30-4 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
4-5 p.m. FEEDING GROUND (Swifty Lang, Michael Lapinski, Christopher Mangun)
5-7 p.m. LUCID (Michael McMillian)

Table 4
9-10:30 a.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. AWAKENING (Nick Tapalansky, Alex Eckman-Lawn)
1-2 p.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)
2-3:30 p.m. TUMOR (Joshua Hale Fialkov)
3:30-4:30 p.m. KILLING PICKMAN (Jason Becker)
4:30-5:30 p.m. HYBRID BASTARDS! (Tom Pinchuk)
5:30-6:30 p.m. THE KILLER (Matz)

Featured Table
9-10:30 a.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MOUSE GUARD (David Petersen)
12:30-2 p.m. THE DARK CRYSTAL (Brian Froud, Wendy Froud)
2-3 p.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)
3-4 p.m. THE GOD MACHINE (Chandra Free)
4-5:30 p.m. THE KILLER (Matz)
5:30-6:30 p.m. AWAKENING (Nick Tapalansky, Alex Eckman-Lawn)

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Table 1
9-10:30 a.m. THE ENGINEER (Brian Churilla, Jeremy Shepherd)
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
1-3 p.m. RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN (Jim McCann, Janet K. Lee)
3-4:30 p.m. THE GOD MACHINE (Chandra Free)
4:30-7 p.m. GUNNERKRIGG COURT (Tom Siddell)

Table 2
9-10:30 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Leigh Dragoon)
10:30-11:30 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Katie Cook)
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Heather White, Jeff Stokely)
1-2:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Michael DiMotta/Bryce P. Coleman)
2:30-4 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Amy Mebberson, Sam Humphries)
4-5:30 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Adrianne Ambrose, Nichol Ashworth)
5:30-7 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Heather White, Jeff Stokely)



Table 3
9-10:30 a.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. LUCID (Michael McMillian)
12-1:30 p.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)
1:30-4 p.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)
4-5 p.m. DAYS MISSING (Trevor Roth, David Marquez, Phil Hester)
5-6 p.m. KILLING PICKMAN (Jason Becker)
6-7 p.m. FEEDING GROUND (Swifty Lang, Michael Lapinski, Christopher Mangun)

Table 4
9-10 a.m. AWAKENING (Nick Tapalansky, Alex Eckman-Lawn)
10-11:30 a.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. TUMOR (Joshua Hale Fialkov)
1-2:30 p.m. AWAKENING (Nick Tapalansky, Alex Eckman-Lawn)
2:30-4:30 p.m. THE KILLER (Matz)
4:30-6 p.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)
6-7 p.m. HYBRID BASTARDS! (Tom Pinchuk)

Featured Table
9-10:30 a.m. LUCID (Michael McMillian)
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MOUSE GUARD (David Petersen)
12:30-1:30 p.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)
1:30-3 p.m. THE DARK CRYSTAL (Brian Froud, Wendy Froud)
3-4 p.m. DAYS MISSING (Trevor Roth, David Marquez, Phil Hester)
4-5:30 p.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)
5:30-7 p.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)

Sunday, July 25, 2010
Table 1
9 a.m.-12 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
12-2:30 p.m. THE ENGINEER (Brian Churilla, Jeremy Shepherd)
2:30-5 p.m. THE GOD MACHINE (Chandra Free)

Table 2
9-10 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Katie Cook, Nichol Ashworth)
10-11 a.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Leigh Dragoon)
1-2 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love)
2-3 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Adrianne Ambrose, Bryce P. Coleman)
3-4 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love)
4-5 p.m. FRAGGLE ROCK (Heather White, Jeff Stokely)

Table 3
9-10:30 a.m. MOON LAKE (Dan Fogler, R.H. Stavis, Robbi Rodriguez, Tim Seeley)
10:30-11:30 a.m. FEEDING GROUND (Swifty Lang, Michael Lapinski, Christopher Mangun)
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CRITICAL MILLENNIUM (Andrew E. C. Gaska, Daniel Dussault)
12:30-2 p.m. LUCID (Michael McMillian)
2-3:30 p.m. SYNDROME (R.J. Ryan, Daniel Quantz, David Marquez, Blake Leibel)
3:30-5 p.m. DAYS MISSING (Trevor Roth, David Marquez, Phil Hester)

Table 4
9-11 a.m. THE KILLER (Matz)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. TUMOR (Joshua Hale Fialkov)
1-2:30 p.m. KILLING PICKMAN (Jason Becker)
2:30-4 p.m. STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL (Dave Rodriguez, Patrick McEvoy)
4-5 p.m. HYBRID BASTARDS! (Tom Pinchuk)

Featured Table
9-11 a.m. RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN (Jim McCann, Janet K. Lee)
11 a.m.-12 p.m. THE ENGINEER (Brian Churilla, Jeremy Shepherd)
12-1 p.m. BERONA’S WAR (Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé)
1-2 p.m. MOUSE GUARD (David Petersen)
2-3:30 p.m. THE DARK CRYSTAL (Brian Froud, Wendy Froud)
3:30-5 p.m. TITANIUM RAIN (Josh Finney, Kat Rocha)

*Schedule is subject to change.

Image Comics launch SKYBOUND with "Witch Doctor"

Robert Kirkman Announces SKYBOUND

New division of Image Comics will focus on cultivating young talents in emerging comic book genres

Los Angeles, CA (July 19th 2010) – Robert Kirkman announced today that he is launching and will helm SKYBOUND, a new division of Image Comics. The company will give a new generation of comic book artists and creators the opportunity to publish their works as SKYBOUND Originals.

With SKYBOUND, Kirkman will handpick up-and-coming creators and maintain an active role in promoting and expanding the projects of the growing talent pool. Artist and company alike will be fully vested in the development of their properties into new mediums (e.g. television, film) globally.

Image Comics, the publishing company that has published Kirkman’s original works (including the New York Times bestselling series The Walking Dead and Invincible), will provide publishing and distribution support to SKYBOUND. Kirkman will continue his duties as Partner at Image Comics, and use the SKYBOUND imprint to release his own titles as well as every Skybound Original to follow.

Robert Kirkman plans to preview the first SKYBOUND Original, Witch Doctor, during his spotlight panel at San Diego Comic-Con this Thursday. ”Witch Doctor is a perfect example of the material we’re looking to cultivate with SKYBOUND,” says Kirkman, citing the comic’s unique vision of a “sick world” where mythical creatures interfere with the natural order.

Kirkman himself found the creators of Witch Doctor online, and will continue to play a personal role in the ongoing search for a constant stream of new talent to sign under the SKYBOUND umbrella. SKYBOUND will focus on cutting-edge, creator-owned stories that are outside of the normal spectrum of mass-market genres.

Looking forward, Kirkman has recently secured the second exclusive SKYBOUND Original, Thief of Thieves, a collaboration between Kirkman and Forgetless writer Nick Spencer. Thief of Thieves tells the story of Conrad Paulson, the world's greatest thief, who has set his sights on his own kind. He vows to steal only what's already been stolen, in an effort to right the great wrongs of his life. But he may be too late for redemption.

Witch Doctor will hit shelves at the beginning of 2011 and Thief of Thieves will follow shortly thereafter. Kirkman has several other SKYBOUND Originals in the works but plans to focus on quality and the company will take its time to find unique projects that reflect SKYBOUND’s core ideals. For more on SKYBOUND please visit www.SkyboundEnt.com.

About Witch Doctor:
Witch Doctor is a medical horror comic from Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner, a pair of Alaskans currently based in Portland, Oregon. Cover blurb: “It's a sick world, and Dr. Vincent Morrow's here to treat it. Headhunted into an exciting new career in the black arts after his excommunication from the medical community, Morrow serves the world with both hands -- one in magic, one in medicine -- as earth's protector. Earth's Witch Doctor.”

"Kill Shakespeare" at San Diego Comic Con

Toronto, ON (July, 19th): Hot on the heels of the success of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World another Canadian comic is making waves. Kill Shakespeare Entertainment announced today that the first two issues of the 12-issue series Kill Shakespeare have sold out. “We are excited to see that fans are reacting to our unique take on the Bard, and we’re very happy that some retailers across North America are already reporting that they’ve sold out of our third issue as well” said KSE president Anthony Del Col.


Issue #3 of the IDW-published series hit stores across North America and the U.K. on July 8, 2010 to a wave of great reviews, and the fourth issue is slated to be released the first week of August. Co-created and co-written by Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col, the artwork is overseen by fellow Canuck Andy Belanger.


The group will be at the San Diego Comic-Con for a series of signings as one of IDW’s featured creative teams.


Kill Shakespeare is the latest in an onslaught of Canadian-creator books that have sold out across the industry and attracted Hollywood’s eye. It’s a list that includes Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, Jeff Lemire’s The Nobody and IDW label-mate Darwyn Cooke’s heavily praised re-imagination of classic noir character Parker in The Hunter.


“We’re happy to be part of this Canadian comic renaissance” said McCreery “It’s a fantastically supportive community, and we’re looking forward to spreading the word in San Diego about what a hotbed for comics the frozen North truly is.”


About the series:

Kill Shakespeare is a dark tale that presents a never before seen take on the Bard. The story puts all of Shakespeare’s greatest heroes and most menacing villains in the same world and pits them against each other on a quest to save, or kill, a reclusive wizard.

The name of that wizard? William Shakespeare.

MAT BROOME to announce two projects at San Diego Comic Con

At the 2010 Comic-Con International in San Diego, comics creator and Sony Art Director Mat Broome will be on-hand to showcase the first glimpse at two new innovative projects. The first announcement is of a new creator-owned comic series, following in the footsteps of his last creator-owned series The End League with Rick Remender. Broome's second announcement will be of an innovative online start-up that will bring together the top creative minds of comics, video games, film, television and music. These two projects underscore a revitalized creative effort by Broome that has been years in the making.

"I've been absent from the San Diego Comic Convention for years since I published my own books with Saffire and Skinners," said Mat Broome," so it'll be a blast coming back to the con after publishing several games with a large company like Sony, and returning to comics with 3D knowledge, and a software developers experience. It's going to allow me to do creative things with my ideas, and new properties that I could have only dreamed of before and make them more accessible to a larger audience."

Broome leads a dual career, working as an Art Director at Sony Online Entertainment and as Visual Director for the DC Universe Online MMORPG while also illustrating such comic projects as The End League for Dark Horse and Marvel Comics' Legend of the Blue Marvel. Broome has a long history in the comics industry, having got his start working on Marvel's X-Force series before joining Jim Lee's Homage Studios and WildStorm Entertainment working on a variety of projects including his own series Defcon 4. With over twenty years spent in both the comic and video game industries, Broome has first-hand knowledge and front-line experience on the ins and outs of being successful.

"Over the past 25 years in entertainment, I've met and worked with an amazing group of creators, In Music, Gaming, Publishing and even Animation," Broome explained. "There's been no shortage of talented people all wanting to share and get involved in building relationships with other professionals. Launching my own start up gives me the opportunity to "give back" to as many as possible and help grow the business to others who aren't in and around Los Angeles."

Mat Broome will be on-hand during San Diego Comic-Con at Booth #2002, showcasing both projects for both fans and industry colleagues.

"The Reconcilers" graphic novel by Neal Adams, Erik Jensen & Shepherd Hendrix

VIKING WARRIOR PRESS ANNOUNCES THE PREMIER OF "THE RECONCILERS" GRAPHIC NOVEL FROM COMICS LEGEND NEAL ADAMS, MULTI-AWARD WINNING WRITER/ACTOR ERIK JENSEN and TWO-TIME EISNER NOMINEE SHEPHERD HENDRIX AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL in SAN DIEGO July 22, 2010.

Thrilling, provocative, and timely, THE RECONCILERS from comics legend Neal Adams, acclaimed artist Shepherd Hendrix, award winning writer/co-creator Erik Jensen, and co-creators R. Emery Bright and Jens Pil Pilegaard, is a graphic novel of epic adventure, with a compelling visual style, and uncanny topical punch.

It is 2165. The world has entered a new dark age as ordinary people scratch out a living in the squalid ruins of their grandparents' civilizations. The concept of nationhood is dead. Mega-Corps rule all aspects of life, and maintain control by mining and selling the only energy source left - "Liberty Ore," a rare and mysterious blue-green substance buried beneath the Moon's surface.

After a protracted and crippling war between Mega-Corporations, EXECUTIVE OUTCOME (EO), a powerful, enigmatic security organization declares military conflict illegal. Pursuant to EO's Book of Outcomes, disputes between corporations may only be resolved through Reconciliation - bloody, globally televised trial-by-combat spectacles designed to enthrall and pacify the masses. The "best of the best" of these professional killing teams is owned by one MAXIMILLIAN SOKOR, professional despot, hero of the Holy Outcome, and Executive Chairman of the largest of the Major Corporations.

But when SEAN HEXHAMMER, a working class "ore-jockey" for a small-time wildcat mining outfit discovers the largest Liberty Ore deposit known to man; his actions shake the tenuous order of the world and bring the tormented past Hexhammer had buried roaring to the surface. Hexhammer is forced to return to the violent life he abandoned and assemble an unlikely team of Reconcilers to fight for the future.

It's Pale Rider meets Blade Runner; if "Pale Rider" had been set in a dystopian 23rd Century it would probably look a little something like "The Reconcilers".

Guided by comics legend Neal Adams, the graphic novel's creative team is comprised of notable up-and-comers in the comics and entertainment industry: multi-award winning writer/actor Erik Jensen, Two-time Eisner nominated artist Shepherd Hendrix, award winning writer-director Jens Pil Pilegaard and actor-writer-producer R. Emery Bright.

The graphic novel's heart lies in the diversity of all of the "Vikings and Warriors" involved in the project. The company is ethnically, culturally and spiritually varied, with associates hailing from various part of the globe - Liberia, Denmark, Turkey, Central America, and the Islands of Cuba, Manhattan and California.

Viking Warrior is donating a portion of the profits from book sales at Comic-Con to victims of the Gulf oil spill. The graphic novel which retails at $14.99 is currently available for pre-order on Amazon or via Pay Pal at www.TheReconcilers.com. The book is expected in stores this Fall.

IDW Publishing Exclusives and Events for San Diego Comic-Con 2010

Top creators, hot exclusives, engaging panels

Booth #2643

San Diego, CA (July 17, 2010) – In the company’s first San Diego Comic Con appearance as a premier publisher, IDW Publishing will offer an exciting and diverse array of creator signings, exclusives and panels. For complete and up to date information, please visit IDWPublishing.com/SDCC.

Throughout the convention, IDW’s booth #2643 will host such headlining creators as Michael Chiklis (Pantheon), Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County), Joe R. Lansdale, Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn), Scott Morse, Steve Niles, and the creative teams for True Blood, Star Trek, TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and more. Visit IDWPublishing.com/SDCC for a full schedule.

Exclusive items available only from IDW run the gamit from a David Messina wrap around cover for True Blood #1 to a special 100th Anniversary Krazy & Ignatz “Tiger Tea” mug, and include The Rocketeer Artist Edition, Doctor Who #13 photo cover, Joe R. Lansdale’s new novella, “Dread Island,” signed Locke & Key Ghost keys, to name a few. Visit IDWPublishing.com/SDCC for a complete list.

Take a break from the show floor to participate in IDW’s insightful panels featuring discussions with a bevy of talented creators. On Thursday, IDW’s chief creative officer Chris Ryall moderates a panel on transforming film properties into comics, with David Tischman, Max Allan Collins, Mike Johnson, Peter David, Tony Lee and Scott Tipton (4-5 pm, Room 9).

On Friday, IDW editors Andy Schmidt and Denton Tipton treat fans to an in-depth look at what’s coming for TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and Dungeons & Dragons (12 noon-1 pm, Room 8). Also on Friday, Comic-Con International hosts guest Berkeley Breathed for a spotlight panel (1-2 pm, Room 6A).

On Saturday, learn about what IDW has in store for 2011 from Chris Ryall, Scott Dunbier, Brian Lynch and a special guest (12 noon-1 pm, Room 8); hear Alex Irvine, Jonathan Maberry, Mario Acevedo, Nancy Collins, [Bloom County Volume One cover] Peter David and Steve Niles discuss working in comics (2:30-3:30 pm, Room 5AB); and learn about how experience as military service members influences the comics work of Acevedo, Larry Hama, Billy Tucci, and Tom Waltz (5-6 pm, Room 5AB).

On Sunday, round out the convention experience with a panel about the future of digital comics, moderated by Macworld Senior Editor Jason Snell, with IDW’s Director of ePublishing, Jeff Webber, Jeff Smith, iVerse’s Michael Murphy, Sony’s Adriana Eyzaguirre, and creators J. Scott Campbell and Jeff Smith.


For a complete listing of IDW Publishing’s San Diego Comic Con events and exclusives, please visit IDWPublishing.com/SDCC.

SLG Publishing Announces Publishing Services Company

SLG Publishing Opens SLG Works Consulting

Comics and graphic novel publisher to offer both full and a al carte publishing services

San Jose, CA - 7/16/2010 - SLG Publishing is putting its nearly 25 years of experiencing up for hire as it opens the doors to SLG Works Consulting, a publishing services company. "Over the years I have had a number of people come to me for advice or ask me to help them with things as they started their comics publishing ventures" explained SLG owner and president Dan Vado "We have always been pretty free with our time, and while I am still open to offering advice I feel that SLG as a company can be of more use to some people offering up some of our services for hire".

While SLG Works will have a full-service option where the company will do everything but create the content, Vado feels that there might be more of a demand for the lists of a la carte services that SLG can offer. "Shipping, storage and fulfillment is probably the number one thing new publishers or self-publishers tend not to consider when they are making plans" Vado said "unless you are doing Print-On-Demand, you're going to have to think about where your books are going to live and how they are going to get from point A to point B".

Other services offered include promotional trailer production, producing music for existing trailers, print brokering and pre-press production and designing and producing merchandise from t-shirts to statues. "This is all stuff we have done for ourselves over the last 24 years" said Vado "Offering up what we have learned over the last two plus decades seemed like a natural progression for us." said Vado while adding that this is not a move designed to put the SLG logo up for sale. "We're not selling the brand, just the muscle behind it"

More information on SLG Works can be found at www.slgworksconsulting.com

Ape Entertainment To Preview FREAKSHOW at Comic Con

Ape Entertainment announced today that it will provide attendees at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con with an advance look at FREAKSHOW, a new title co-created by David Server & Jackson Lanzing with art by rising star Joe Suitor (Spider-Man: Fear Itself, GI Joe: Helix).


The three-issue limited series follows the story of five mutated survivors after a devastating chemical explosion, which has left the world’s only superhero dead and his city trapped in a dangerous and mysterious quarantine. In the wake of the disaster, these five refugees must decide whether to use their powerful but defective new abilities to save the remains of the city or extract their revenge on those responsible.


“As readers, we’ve always gravitated towards the creatures and outsiders in comics, and this story comes from wanting to deconstruct those archetypes,” says Server. “When you’re born out of the most nightmarish origin you can imagine, where does that leave you? If your identity is ripped away and you’re left a monster, what might anyone be capable of?”


“While we're playing with the iconography of superheroes, our characters aren't traditionally ‘super-heroic,’” adds Lanzing. “They're freaks, survivors of literally apocalyptic trauma. What we're trying to do is let the reader into the mind of these damaged characters and challenge their expectations. FREAKSHOW is about finding heroism in yourself, even when it seems like there's nothing left to save.”


Though the series won’t arrive in stores until early 2011, advance copies of FREAKSHOW #1 will be available for purchase at the Ape Entertainment booth (#2104) on the convention floor. The issue features a cover by Suitor, as well as a special variant cover by comic industry legend Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, The Boys).


For up-to-date information on Freakshow, please visit www.freakshowcomic.com

IDW Launches Literary Mash-Ups at Comic Con with "Dread Island"

San Diego, CA (July 15, 2010) – IDW Publishing is proud to announce CLASSICS MUTILATED, an all-new prose collection of genre mash-up stories by top-tier authors, coming in October. At San Diego Comic-Con, IDW will debut the original novella “Dread Island” by noted horror and crime writer Joe R. Lansdale, as an exclusive preview of the upcoming collection. Lansdale will be featured at special autograph sessions at the IDW booth #2643 throughout the convention.

CLASSICS MUTILATED offers a different take on the current monster-lit trend by challenging a coterie of major talents to twist fantasy and horror elements with classic tales and icons, creating all-new stories. Lansdale’s “Dread Island” showcases the collection’s unique tone by featuring Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer in a new adventure, with bizarre fantasy and supernatural elements out of both H. P. Lovecraft and Uncle Remus.

“I wrote ‘Dread Island’ based on my love for Mark Twain,” reveals Lansdale, “which collided with my interest in Lovecraft, and the fact that the Uncle Remus tales may have been the first stories I ever read. And then there were comics. I always saw ‘Dread Island’ as a kind of comic book in prose, the old Classics Illustrated look. That's how it played out in my head.”

Available in October, the full CLASSICS MUTILATED collection will feature fifteen stories from writers such as Nancy Collins, John Shirley, Thomas Tessier, Kristine Katheryn Rusch, Chris Ryall, Rick Hautala, John Skipp and Cody Goodfellow. The collection will also feature a painted, wrap around cover by Menton Matthews III.

To promote the upcoming CLASSICS MUTILATED, "Dread Island" will be available in four different editions, beginning with the trade paperback version, limited to 500 copies and available only at conventions. After SDCC, IDW will offer a 400-copy signed hardcover edition and a 100-copy signed and numbered leatherbound edition exclusively through the company’s website. A fourth, “retailer only” configuration will be available to Diamond accounts for an October release, alongside CLASSICS MUTILATED.

“CLASSICS MUTILATED is our take on this so-called Monster- Lit trend,” explains Jeff Conner, the collection’s editor. “Rather than foisting zombies and the like onto beloved literary classics or unsuspecting historic figures, we’re approaching the concept from the other end, challenging an unholy cabal of fantasy and horror writers to use their dark arts on genre-blending. The results have been remarkable, as lucky readers of Lansdale’s ‘Dread Island’ preview edition will get to see.”



Dread Island ($15, 86 pages, trade paperback, prose) will be available from IDW at San Diego Comic Con.

Dread Island ($35, 86 pages, hardcover, signed, prose) will be available from IDW Publishing in August.

Dread Island ($100, 86 pages, hardcover, signed and numbered, prose) will be available from IDW Publishing in August.

Dread Island ($24.99, 86 pages, hardcover, signed, prose) will be available in stores in October.

Classics Mutilated ($16.99, 320 pages, paperback, prose) will be available in stores in October. ISBN 978-160010830-3

THE WALKING DEAD - Comic Con 2010 information

FRANK DARABONT, GALE ANNE HURD, ROBERT KIRKMAN
AND THE CAST OF AMC’S SERIES “THE WALKING DEAD”
DESCEND ON COMIC CON 2010


“The Walking Dead” Exclusive Sneak Preview and Panel Event Takes Place Friday, July 23rd at 11:30am, Room 6BCF


Get “Zombified” in AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Booth 3721


Plus Limited Edition Giveaways

Autograph Session with Panelists

Highly Anticipated Series Premieres in October during AMC Fearfest


NEW YORK, NY, July 9, 2010: The stars and producers of AMC’s highly-anticipated serries “The Walking Dead,” based on the comic book written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, will descend on Comic Con 2010 for a panel event and exclusive sneak preview of the original drama. “The Walking Dead” panel, scheduled for Friday, July 23 at 11:30am in room 6BCF, will feature series stars Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), Jon Bernthal (“The Pacific”), Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break”), Laurie Holden (The Mist), and Emma Bell (“Law & Order”). Joining the cast are writer, director, executive producer and three-time Academy Award nominee Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile); executive producers Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, Armageddon), make-up artist Greg Nicotero (George Romero’s Land of the Dead, The Mist); and Joel Stillerman, AMC's SVP of original programming, production and digital content. “The Walking Dead” will premiere this October during AMC Fearfest, the network's annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films.

During the hour-long event, moderator Eric Moro of IGN.com will lead panelists in a discussion about their experience shooting the series in Atlanta, and the process of bringing Kirkman’s comic book to life on the small screen, among other topics, followed by an exclusive first look at “The Walking Dead,” and a Q&A session with attendees.

“The Walking Dead” panel will be complemented by a number of on-the-ground activities taking place throughout Comic Con:

• Attendees will have an opportunity to get “zombified” by visiting “The Walking Dead” booth and putting themselves into a zombie scene from the series via a touch screen and AMC will email the photo to them.
  
• AMC will distribute limited edition "The Walking Dead" series posters from internationally recognized movie poster artist, Drew Struzan (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Blade Runner, Hellboy and more).
  
• An autograph session will take place with Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero and Gale Anne Hurd in the Image Comic Books booth.
  
• AMC will distribute limited edition "The Walking Dead" series buttons.
  
• AMC will have “The Walking Dead” walkers around the convention center and booth.
  
• “The Walking Dead” booth will be a semi-recreation of a scene from the pilot episode.
  

About “The Walking Dead”

The Walking Dead tells the story of the weeks and months that follow a pandemic zombie apocalypse. County Sheriff Rick Grimes travels with his family and a small group of survivors, constantly in search of a safe and secure home. But the constant pressure of fighting off death on a daily basis takes a heavy toll, sending many to the lowest depths of human cruelty. As Rick struggles to keep his family alive, he will discover that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be far more dangerous than the mindless walkers roaming the earth.

VIZ Media and POW! Welcome ULTIMO Co-Creator Stan Lee at Comic-Con

San Francisco, CA, July 8, 2010 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), and POW! Entertainment (POW!) are proud to welcome comic book legend Stan Lee for a special signing at the VIZ Media booth #2813 on Saturday, July 24th, at Comic-Con International 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

Stan Lee will appear at the VIZ Media booth at the nation's largest comic book convention to help celebrate the release of ULTIMO Volume 2. ULTIMO (rated 'T' for Teens) is the historic collaboration between Stan Lee and famed Japanese manga creator Hiroyuki Takei, and has been serialized in SHONEN JUMP Magazine since its debut in 2009. Volume 2 is available in stores now. Starting at 4PM on Thursday, July 22nd, and Friday, July 23rd, the first 60 fans to purchase ULTIMO Volume 2 at the VIZ Media booth each day will receive a ticket to have their copy personally autographed by Mr. Lee on Saturday, July 24th, at 1:15PM.

VIZ Media will also welcome Stan Lee as a special guest at the SHONEN JUMP panel, scheduled for Saturday, July 24th, from 10:30-11:30AM in Room 9.

ULTIMO represents a rare East-meets-West production between comics legend Stan Lee, co-creator of many iconic superheroes including Spider-Man™, the Fantastic Four™, and the X-Men™, and Hiroyuki Takei, the creator of the popular SHAMAN KING manga series, published in Japan by Shueisha and in North America by VIZ Media.

The ULTIMO back-story: High above Farmless City, citizens are stunned by the sudden appearance of two floating figures. Are they human boys, monolithic robots, or something much more strange? As the battle ensues between them, destruction and devastation falls on the hapless city. One figure is Vice, who seems to be as evil as his name implies. The other is Ultimo, intent on trying to stop Vice from wreaking more havoc. But who are Vice and Ultimo really? Where did they come from? In Volume 2, with girl and money troubles, life is hard enough for high school student Yamato, but then he stumbles upon Ultimo, a peculiar-looking puppet. Things only get stranger when Ultimo awakens and his archenemy, Vice, shows up. Ultimo and Vice are Karakuri Dôji, the mechanical embodiment of pure good and pure evil, devoid of human emotions that can cloud one's judgment. Their purpose: to battle to the death to prove once and for all whether good or evil is the most powerful force in the universe.

For over half a century, Stan Lee has been synonymous with superhero comics. In addition to co-creating countless memorable series and characters, including Spider-Man™, the Incredible Hulk™, and Daredevil™, he served as the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. Lee remains a hugely respected and dynamic figure in the entertainment industry and continues to develop a variety of film, television and video game properties.

"We are extremely honored to have a legend of Stan Lee's stature as a guest at the VIZ Media booth for a special signing at Comic-Con this year," says Christopher Boily, SHONEN JUMP Editor-In-Chief. "The groundbreaking collaboration of the ULTIMO manga has been a great success, and we are also extremely excited to welcome Mr. Lee as a guest at this year's Shonen Jump panel in celebration of the release of Volume 2 of ULTIMO!"

Stan Lee and his producing partner Gill Champion's company, POW! Entertainment (Pinksheets: POWN.PK), worked with VIZ Media parent company Shueisha, and with JEA and Dream Ranch to facilitate the development of ULTIMO. Champion, POW!'s COO and President, says, "Fans won't want to miss Ultimo Volume 2 as more of the mysteries surrounding the Karakuri Dôji are finally explained. The characters that Stan and Hiroyuki Takei have created together are both classic and unique at the same time, with many different aspects that both manga and American comic fans will enjoy!"

For more information on ULTIMO, SHONEN JUMP and VIZ Media please visit http://www.ultimo.com/ or http://www.shonenjump.com.

You can also stay up-to-date on all Shonen Jump happenings by following ShonenJump on Twitter.

ARCHAIA Granted Five Panels For San Diego Comic Con

FEATURED GUESTS INCLUDE BRIAN FROUD, ZACHARY QUINTO, MICHAEL MCMILLIAN, DAN FOGLER, DAVID PETERSEN OF ‘MOUSE GUARD’, TOM SIDDELL OF ‘GUNNERKRIGG COURT,’ MATZ OF ‘THE KILLER’ AND PHIL HESTER OF ‘DAYS MISSING: KESTUS’

Los Angeles, CA (July 8, 2010) – Looking to deliver the best experience for their fans attending Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif. and to capture an even larger audience of its high-quality line of publications, the show organizers granted Archaia Entertainment five diverse panels at the convention, loaded with special guests, exclusive sneak peeks and advance information on upcoming titles.

Over a dozen projects and up to 20 creators will be highlighted during Archaia’s panels. Guests of special note include Brian Froud, a veteran of The Jim Henson Company who will be on hand to discuss his involvement in the forthcoming Dark Crystal and Labyrinth comics; actor/producer Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek, “Heroes”) and actor/writer Michael McMillian (“True Blood”), who will speak about Lucid, the first comic to come from the partnership between Quinto’s company, Before the Door, and Archaia; actor/writer/producer/director Dan Fogler (“Fanboys,” “Balls of Fury”), who will unveil a sneak peek of the upcoming Moon Lake, a hardcover anthology of comedic horror stories; Eisner Award-winning creator David Petersen, who’ll be on hand to talk about the current Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard series and preview the upcoming Mouse Guard: The Black Axe; Tom Siddell, creator of the popular Gunnerkrigg Court Web comic and books; Matz, the Eisner Award-nominated writer of The Killer, a popular series originally published in France that has captivated American readers; and Eisner Awardnominated writer Phil Hester, who will talk about his involvement with the sequel to the critically acclaimed Archaia and Roddenberry Productions series, Days Missing: Kestus.

“I’m super stoked that Archaia is able to bring all these talented individuals together and have them speak to their fans, as well as help make new ones,” exclaimed Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo. “I’d like to thank Comic-Con International for being very gracious in granting us five panels so that we’re able to give all our creators an opportunity to speak about their projects.”

Here’s a detailed look at the five panels Archaia will host during Comic-Con International, which takes place July 22-25, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.:

Thursday, July 22, 6-7 p.m., Room 9
Archaia: BLACK LABEL — The new Archaia Black Label specializes in co-developing intellectual properties with prestigious partners who are seeking to realize their ideas through the use of Archaia’s resources. Join us as we show exclusive preview images and discuss the first of the Archaia Black Label titles, including: Days Missing: Kestus with Roddenberry Productions’ Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth, writer Phil Hester (Days Missing) and artist David Marquez (Syndrome); Moon Lake with creator Dan Fogler (“Fanboys,” “Balls of Fury”), writer R.H. Stavis (Demons of Mercy) and artist Robbi Rodriguez (Hazed); and Syndrome with Fantasy Prone’s Blake Leibel (United Free Worlds), writers Daniel Quantz (Marvel Age: Spider-Man) and R.J. Ryan (Marvel Studios), and artist David Marquez.

Friday, July 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Room 25ABC
Archaia: LUCID — Lucid, the first comic book project from Archaia’s partnership with Before the Door, arrives in stores in August! Join Lucid creator and writer Michael McMillian (“True Blood”) and BTD partners Zachary Quinto (“Star Trek,” “Heroes”), Neal Dodson and Corey Moosa as they share cool behind-thescenes info and other interesting tidbits about the making of the comic. Moderated by Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy.

Friday, July 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Room 9
Archaia: ALL ACCESS — Get updates and new information on a host of Archaia titles, including: Awakening with writer Nick Tapalansky and artist Alex Eckman-Lawn; Critical Millennium: The Dark Frontier with writer Andrew E. C. Gaska and artist Daniel Dussault; Feeding Ground with creators Chris Mangun, Swifty Lang and Michael Lapinksi; The God Machine with creator Chandra Free; Gunnerkrigg Court with creator Tom Siddell; Hybrid Bastards! with writer Tom Pinchuk; The Killer with writer Matz; Killing Pickman with writer Jason Becker; Starkweather: Immortal with writer David Rodriguez and artist Patrick McEvoy; and Titanium Rain with writer/artist Josh Finney and artist Kat Rocha.

Sunday, July 25, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Room 25ABC
Archaia: THE JIM HENSON COMPANY — The first series of Fraggle Rock comics was a rousing success, so what does Archaia and The Jim Henson Company have in store next? Find out exclusive information on upcoming Archaia/Henson comic book and graphic novel ventures from Archaia Editor-in Chief Stephen Christy and special guest Brian Froud, who worked closely with Jim Henson on “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth” movies as a concept artist. Joining them will be The Jim Henson Company Senior Vice President of Marketing and Publicity Nicole Goldman, Fraggle Rock comic book editors Tim Beedle, Paul Morrissey and Joe LeFavi, plus Fraggle Rock comic book writers Heather White and Sam Humphries, and artist Heidi Arnhold!

Sunday, July 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Room 3
Archaia: ALL AGES — All ages books are not necessarily children’s books—they’re books that readers of all ages can enjoy! Join Archaia for updates, previews and exciting new information on several of its All Ages titles, including: Berona’s War with creators Jesse Labbé and Anthony Coffey; Fraggle Rock with The Jim Henson Company; Gunnerkrigg Court; Mouse Guard: The Black Axe and Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard with creator David Petersen and contributors Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Katie Cook (Fraggle Rock) and Karl Kerschl (The Abominable Charles Christopher); and Return of the Dapper Men with artist Janet Lee. Moderated by Archaia’s Mel Caylo.

Many of the creators listed above will also be available at the Archaia booth at Comic-Con International (#2635) for autograph signings. A schedule will be distributed and posted on the Archaia website soon.

Radical Publishing Comic-Con Schedule

* All guests subject to availability

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT Comic Con 2010 plans

Come join Zenescope Entertainment for the highly anticipated San Diego Comic Con July 21-25th in San Diego, CA at the San Diego Convention Center. Zenescope will be at Booth# 2707 and will be debuting the first issue of the brand new CHARMED series as well as FIVE brand new limited edition Convention Exclusives:


The Charmed Ones make there much anticipated return in this CHARMED #1 limited edition SDCC Exclusive! Just 500 total issues featuring this gorgeous photo cover have been printed as Zenescope debuts the brand new series at Comic Con International! It is available only at Zenescope's booth #2707 for $15 or just $10 when purchased with any other Zen Exclusive cover!

Grimm Fairy Tales #49 San Diego Football Exclusive

This unbelievable football cover features Grimm's ultra-evil and ultra-sexy character Belinda as she gears up for the upcoming football season in San Diego! Just 500 total copies of this gorgeous cover by artist Mike DeBalfo have been printed. It is available only at Zenescope's booth #2707 for $15 or just $10 when purchased with any other Zen Exclusive cover!

Grimm Fairy Tales #49 San Diego Football Alternate Jersey Exclusive

This unbelievable football cover features Grimm's super hot lead character Sela Mathers as she gears up for the upcoming football season in San Diego! Just 250 total copies of this gorgeous cover by artist Mike DeBalfo have been printed. It is available only at Zenescope's booth #2707 for a purchase price of $25.

Grimm Fairy Tales Swimsuit Edition #1 SDCC Exclusive:

Zenescope's first ever Swimsuit Edition has arrived and this limited edition cover is going to blow you away! Featuring the sultry and sexy Sela Mathers with artwork by Mike DeBalfo. Only 500 total issues featuring this gorgeous cover have been printed. It is available only at Zenescope's booth #2707 for $15 or just $10 when purchased with any other Zen Exclusive cover!

Neverland #4 SDCC "Tiger Lily" Exclusive:

This beautiful painted cover by Caio Cacau features Neverland's super hot Tiger Lily as she visits the Zoo in San Diego. Just 500 total issues featuring this gorgeous cover have been printed. It is available only at Zenescope's booth #2707 for $15 or just $10 when purchased with any other Zen Exclusive cover!


Not only will Zenescope have these hot exclusives available at the booth but we will also be host to some of the most talented creators in the business today.

Appearing and signing at the zenescope booth throughout the weekend:
Joe Brusha: Zenescope President and writer (Grimm Fairy Tales & Neverland)
Ralph Tedesco: Zenescope Editor-in-Chief and writer (Grimm Fairy Tales & Salem's Daughter)
Raven Gregory: Zenescope Writer (The Wonderland trilogy, The Waking and Charmed)
Paul Ruditis: Zenescope Writer (Charmed) and Charmed novelist
Mike DeBalfo: Zenescope Cover artist (Grimm Fairy Tales, Wonderland)
Dan Leister: Zenescope artist (Wonderland trilogy)
Nei Ruffino: Zenescope artist (Wonderland trilogy, Neverland, Grimm Fairy Tales)
Dan Wickline: Zenescope writer (Sinbad, Grimm Fairy Tales)
Tim Cox: Zenescope writer (Sci-Fi & Fantasy Illustrated)
Anthony Spay: Zenescope artist (Wonderland, Grimm Fairy Tales)
Milen Parvanov: Zenescope colorist (Charmed, Grimm Fairy Tales)

Also appearing at the booth will be the Zenescope Girl of the Year SAMANTHA (Miss August)


ALL Signing times TBA.

Lastly, be sure to join us for Zenescope's CHARMED panel on Thursday July 22 from 3:30-4:30pm in room 24ABC


Zenescope Presents CHARMED Comics: The Charmed Ones are back and the creative minds bringing them from television screen to comic book pages are here to share their magic. Writers Paul Ruditis (Charmed novelist) and Raven Gregory (Zenescope's Wonderland, The Waking) will discuss how they have taken on the task of translating the ultra-popular TV show into a brand new comic book series. Paul and Raven will answer your questions, raffle off some prizes and maybe reveal a surprise or two. Join the fun on Thursday, July 22 from 3:30-4:30 Room 24ABC

Los Angeles' Meltdown Comics Hosts Eternal Descent Comic Book Signing

Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, CA will host a comic book signing event at 7PM Friday, August 6th featuring guitarist and Eternal Descent creator Llexi Leon. In conjunction with the signing, you can also enter a contest for a chance to win an ESP Eternal Descent graphic series guitar featuring the art of Eternal Descent comic character "LYRA". For updates about the contest, please visit http://www.meltcomics.com. A winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced at the comic book signing on August 6th. Meltdown Comics is located at 7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046, phone 323-851-7223.

Llexi Leon, creator of the multimedia concept ETERNAL DESCENT, recruits ESP-endorsed artists for cameo appearances in the Eternal Descent comic which is inspired by a host of iconic metal musicians. The initial launch issue was released by IDW Publishing on March 31st, 2010 with subsequent issues to be released every 4-6 weeks, spotlighting God Forbid guitarist Doc Coyle in issue 2, and Gus G of Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne in issue 3. Other bands including Static X, Atreyu, Children of Bodom, and Soulfly are slated for upcoming cameo appearances in subsequent issues.

Leon began making noise in London, England in 2005. His highly intricate guitar style exhibits the many influences corralled to create his intense sound - from classical, flamenco, electronica, and ambient genres to the more prominent genres of rock and metal. All of these genres infused to one, Leon has built a cinematic metal fantasia with his music which has branched out to a comic book series. His main aspirations are bringing stories to life through escapism. He utilizes everyday events and his vivid imagination to drive him to create more avenues for his multimedia enterprise. To prove its tangibility, Llexi Leon, has recruited artists from Marvel, DC Comics, The Darkness and Magdelina on pencils, inks, coloring:

~ Jason Metcalf on pencils and inks, and a driving force behind detailing the Eternal Descent world, who previously worked on The Darkness and Magdelina.

~ David Rivera will begin inking over Jason’s pencils from issue two and beyond, while Javier Tartaglia and Joel Chua, both veterans of many Marvel and DC comics titles, provide stunning colors.

Eternal Descent web sites:
Official site: http://www.eternaldescent.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eternaldescent.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Descent/151763664056?ref=ts
Facebook Eternal Descent Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137798642899181&ref=ts