VIZ Media Adds Four Novels to Haikasoru Imprint

VIZ Media announces the upcoming release of four new science fiction novels under its Haikasoru imprint:


SLUM ONLINE, by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, and THE STORIES OF IBIS, by Hiroshi Yamamoto, will hit stores on April 20th.

LOUPS-GAROUS, by Natsuhiko Kyogoku, and THE NEXT CONTINENT, by Issui Ogawa, will be released on May 18th.

Image Comics Teases New Nick Spencer Title

An all-new series from Nick Spencer, writer of the critically acclaimed titles FORGETLESS, EXISTENCE 2.0, EXISTENCE 3.0 and SHUDDERTOWN.

Elephantmen to Be a Movie

ELEPHANTMEN HEADING TO THE BIG SCREEN


Zucker Productions adapting ELEPHANTMEN for major motion picture

Comicraft/Active Images is proud to announce the option of their Image Comics series ELEPHANTMEN by Zucker Productions for major motion picture development.

The treatment for the movie is being drafted by Richard Starkings, creator and writer of ELEPHANTMEN. Starkings shares, "I'm very pleased to be working with producer Janet Zucker and everyone at Zucker Productions. Janet has a wonderful instinct for story and totally understands the more subtle tones of the ELEPHANTMEN series."

"Richard has created a world of implausible ideas and impossible characters, a world where transgenic animals and human beings come together in a dark, yet hopeful universe," says Janet Zucker. "Jerry (Zucker, Director of GHOST) and I can't wait to bring the stories of Hip, Horn and Sahara to life on screen in a way that will simply take your breath away

Starkings was approached by a number of companies and directors interested in optioning the project, but until recently he brushed them away, preferring to concentrate on putting out a good book. "On the road to the creation of ELEPHANTMEN, I talked to everyone else in the business and listened to their advice. It's taken a very long time to build the series -- I created these characters fifteen years ago -- and I'm very grateful for our loyal readers and the incredible professional support that the book has received." says Starkings. "I didn't set out with a movie in mind, but I am grateful that this opportunity has come along and allows me to continue to write something that is very dear to me."

ELEPHANTMEN is an Eisner Award winning series first published in 2002 under Starkings' Active Images imprint. In 2006 Image Comics approached Starkings to bring the book under their umbrella. The story of the Elephantmen takes place in Los Angeles in the not too distant future -- in a world where human/animal hybrids were created to fight a war between Africa and China. Scarred by their experiences in war and seeking to somehow find their own humanity, the Elephantmen are now scattered throughout the world amongst the humans they were created to kill. ELEPHANTMEN is a brilliant commentary on racism, miscegenation, global warming, stem cell research and warfare. Created and written by Starkings, the series features artwork by Ladrönn, Moritat and Boo Cook.

ELEPHANTMEN #25 (DEC090405), a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores on April 21, 2010. Collections of the ongoing series include ELEPHANTMEN 01: NO SURRENDER, ELEPHANTMEN 02: WOUNDED ANIMALS and ELEPHANTMEN 03: DANGEROUS LIASONS. Also available: ELEPHANTMEN: HIP FLASK: UNNATURAL SELECTION, ELEPHANTMEN: HIP FLASK: CONCRETE JUNGEL, ELEPHANTMEN: CAPTAIN STONEHEART AND THE TRUTH FAIRY and ELEPHANTMEN: ART OF LADRÖNN.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Michael Golden, Mark Texeira Books at C2E2, But not Many

Golden and Texeira Offer Low Numbers of New Books-- C2E2 Exclusives!

It's the first C2E2, in case you have been off the planet or something, and didn't know! And to commemorate the occassion, Eva Ink Artists Group is bringing in the low numbers-- and when we are talking sketchbooks, that's a very GOOD thing!

Michael Golden "More Heroes & Villains Sketchbook" Numbers 1-50 for the C2E2 ONLY!

Renowned artist/storyteller Michael Golden will have the first 50 signed and numbered copies of his new hardcover, full color sketchbook, 48 pages, available for attendees of C2E2 in Chicago this next weekend. This much awaited book is limited to ONLY 600 copies worldwide, but you have a chance to own of the first 50! Golden is known the world over for his signature storytelling style, as well as for being the co-creator of Rogue, Bucky O'Hare, Spartan X, former Senior Art Director of Marvel Comics, and much more! Don't miss your chance to pick up your own copy of "More Heroes & Villains" in artist alley while supplies last! Sketch Editions also available!

Mark Texeira's "Babes & Brawn Sketchbook" Numbers 1-50 for the C2E2 ONLY!

Painter/illustrator, Mark Texeira will have the first 50 signed and numbered copies of his new sketchbook available for attendees of C2E2 in Chicago this next weekend. This collectable book, showcasing sketches from Mark's 2009 season as well as a other few surprises, is limited to ONLY 1000 copies worldwide, but you have a chance to own one of the first 50! Mark is known for his amazing story work on "Ghost Rider," "MoonKnight," "Black Panther," and much, much more! Don't miss your chance to pick up your own copy in artist alley while supplies last! Sketch Editions also available!

In addition, writer Renee Witterstaetter will be signing copies of her new books "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira--The Artist's Great Escape," and "Excess: The Art of Michael Golden." Both published by Vanguard Productions.

Other guests joining the crew at C2E2 include: Alex Ross, Mark Bagley, J. Scott Campbell, Talent Caldwell, Jimmy Cheung, Amanda Conner, Peter David, Garth Ennis, David Finch, Gene Ha, Neil Gaiman, Geoff Jones, Buzz, Chipp Kidd, Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, Eva Hopkins, Gary Friedrich, Jim Lee, Bob Layton, Frank Cho, Paul Levitz, Joseph Linsner, Angel Medina, Brian Pulido, David Lloyd, Mike Mignola, Terry Moore, Joe Quesada, Ethan Van Scriver, Gail Simone, Jill Thompson, Mark Waid, Carrie Fischer, Ray Park, Peter Mayhew, Jim Valentino, Bill Willingham, and many more!

For more information on this convention, taking place April 16-18, go to:http://www.c2e2.com/en/Overview/FAQ/

For more information on Michael Golden and Mark Texeira, their commissions, story work and appearances contact: evaink@aol.com

Keep up on all Conventions and special happenings for Michael Golden, Mark Texeira and Eva Ink Artist Group on Facebook by joining our page at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=197319153658&ref=mf

Mike Richardson, Jim Shooter at C2E2

DARK HORSE TO KICK OFF NEW GOLD KEY COMICS PROGRAM AT C2E2!


LEGENDARY CREATORS JIM SHOOTER AND MIKE RICHARDSON TO RE-INTRODUCE FANS TO THESE ICONIC SUPERHEROES

Dark Horse and Classic Media announced today that this weekend’s C2E2 convention will be the launch for the much-anticipated new Gold Key Comics program. Fans will have the chance to meet Dark Horse President Mike Richardson and creator Jim Shooter, and gain insider information on what to expect from this summer’s upcoming releases. News of the line was first announced at San Diego Comic Con International 2009, and fans have been anxiously awaiting details ever since.

“Jim and I share a great affection for these terrific characters. We have some very exciting ideas on how to introduce them to a whole new generation of fans.” said Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics. “C2E2 is just the beginning.”

“I've done this long enough to know when it feels right -- and it does -- so there's a chance, at least, that it is. I stand on the shoulders of giants like Manning, Newman and Du Bois,” said Jim Shooter. “On top of that I've had terrific support from Mike Richardson and Senior Editor Chris Warner, plus great art from Bill Reinhold and Dennis Calero. Overture, curtain, lights...!”

In addition, throughout the C2E2 weekend, Dark Horse will announce the creative teams and more titles in the works for Gold Key. Then, the new line will kick off in print only a few weeks later, on Saturday, May 1st, as part of Free Comic Book Day, and fans can look for exciting promotional Apps on iTunes in early May.

Doctor Solar, the first title in the line, will arrive in stores this summer!


About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and bestselling prose author, Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Mass Effect, Tim Burton, Serenity and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry's leading publisher of licensed material.

About Classic Media™
Classic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where’s Waldo?®, The Lone Ranger®, Gold Key Comics, Lassie®, Postman Pat®, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales® and Guess with Jess®. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales®. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music.

ZombieBomb Sells Out at Boston Comic Con

ZombieBomb! Sold Out at Boston Comic Con on Day 1


Word from the Terminal Press ZombieBomb! booth at the Boston Comic Con came in before the finish of the first day that all copies had completely sold out. With a whole other day left of the convention, the ZombieBomb! creative team will be sketching and directing fans to the Terminal Press website to pick up copies from a limited supply of ZombieBomb! books that will ship out from the publisher this upcoming week.

Since it's debut, ZombieBomb! has become a hit with both critics and fans alike. Terminal Press has already exhausted their supply of the limited run first printing and plans on releasing the book to comic shops and book stores in the near future. More information will be available at terminalpress.com in the coming weeks.

"ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead" is available in limited supply at TerminalPress.com (http://www.terminalpress.com/comics/zombies.html).

Visit the Terminal Press Fan Page @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terminal-Press/110121042984.

Visit the ZombieBomb! Fan Page @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zombie-Bomb-Comic-Anthology/151064240675

Comic Book Shops to Experience a "Flare" Up in 2010

ALL-NEW FLARE ADVENTURES COMING YOUR WAY IN 2010!


Comics' glittering goddess of light returns in this year with a series of all-new adventures!

In begins in June, in FLARE ANNUAL #3. In this special ANNUAL edition of FLARE, her regular newspaper comic strip artist, SEAN HARRINGTON, makes his FLARE comic book debut with a brilliant cover, plus a fabulously rendered all-new adventure featuring FLARE battling crime in San Francisco, side-by-side with her police officer boyfriend, LUCAS MADISON. This story also serves as a prologue to Flare's 25th Anniversary celebration, coming your way in the summer of 2011.

Then in July, in the pages of FLARE ADVENTURES #26, when comics' glittering goddess of the light meets the world's sexiest spy, it's time to go SPYING WITH LANA! In this booklength crossover epic, enjoy a SEAN HARRINGTON tour de force as he brings two of his favorite females together for the very first time. If you'd like to learn more about Lana, check out Sean's popular "Spying with Lana" webcomic, updated every Monday and Thursday at www.spyingwithlana.com.

In September the regular FLARE comic book title returns to bimonthly publication with issue #39, featuring a complete 16-page FLARE adventure by Dennis Mallonee and Sean Harrington, revealing the secret origin of the super-swift DASH, and featuring special guest appearances by none other than the explosive BLONDE BOMBSHELL and the ever-naughty BLACK ENCHANTRESS! There's trouble in store when the maniacal super-speedster rises up from his deathbed, gives the slip to his keepers, and sets his sights on vengeance against an unsuspecting FLARE! Also in this issue, Dennis Mallonee, Gordon Purcell, and Terry Pallot bring you a suprise solo adventure starring Flare's police officer boyfriend, LUCAS MADISON! When the luscious LADY DARKON decides she wants hunky Lucas for herself, and recruits help from APHRODITE in order to get him, how in the world is a mere mortal ever going to be able to resist the mind-altering potions of the Olympian goddess of love?

And in November, in FLARE #40, in an adventure that ties in directly with events in LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS #13, FLARE faces "The Challenge of the Steel Shrike," an all-new tale by Dennis Mallonee and Duval Stowers. Also in this issue: The BLACK ENCHANTRESS stars in a surprise solo adventure as she takes it on herself to deal with a few loose ends that need some tying up. "Andrea's Adventure in Olympus" is an all-new tale by Dennis Mallonee and J. Adam Walters that helps set the stage for our glittering goddess of the light's 25th Anniversary celebration, coming your way in the summer of 2011!

Heroic Publishing's full-color comic book titles are now distributed exclusively through the new ComicsMonkey distribution service, www.comicsmonkey.com. Single copy purchases can be made from the Heroic Publishing website at www.heroicpub.com, or from IndyPlanet at www.indyplanet.com.

FLARE™, BLACK ENCHANTRESS™, DASH™, LADY DARKON™ BLONDE BOMBSHELL™ STEEL SHRIKE™ and LUCAS MADISON™ are trademarks of Heroic Publishing, Inc. SPYING WITH LANA™ is a trademark of Harrington Artwerkes.