Radical Publishing Enters into Deal with Actor Sam Worthington

RADICAL PUBLISHING AND FULL CLIP PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE IMPRINT DEAL

Radical Publishing and Full Clip Productions are proud to announce that they have entered into an imprint deal. Under this agreement, Full Clip Productions, the company headed by actor Sam Worthington and his partners Michael Schwarz and John Schwarz, will develop intellectual property to be produced under the Radical banner. Worthington and John Schwarz will star in the film adaptations of select projects.

The first project in development under the imprint is Damaged, created by John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz, and written by Eisner Award winner David Lapham (Stray Bullets), the story centers on two brothers committed to justice in different ways – one inside the law, one violently beyond it. Now, with the end of their careers approaching, they must train their replacements, hoping to remake each in their image. But the vigilante code has changed and the brothers are left unprepared for the true lawlessness and corruption that is about to be unleashed. Fans can learn more about Damaged when they visit Radical's San Diego Comic-Con Booth #3735.

"We are thrilled to have Full Clip in the Radical family," said Radical Studios President Barry Levine. "An imprint deal of this nature is unprecedented in the industry, and we couldn't ask for better partners than Sam, Michael and John."

"As a lifelong fan of comics, I'm so excited to have the chance to create material which I can then personally bring to life on screen," Worthington said. "This is a great opportunity for my partners and I to work alongside a dynamic company like Radical."

Radical Publishing, run by Levine and Jesse Berger, recently announced development of a feature adaptation of its soon-to-debut graphic novel, Legends: The Enchanted, with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment. Radical is also adapting The Last Days of American Crime with Worthington attached to star in and produce as well as Oblivion, which is being developed with Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski. Radical Publishing currently has 19 titles in circulation which are published in 7 countries, and a catalog containing more than 70 properties and 500 characters.

Worthington was hand-picked by filmmaker James Cameron to star as the lead in Avatar, which is now the highest grossing film of all time. The movie won the Golden Globe award for "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Motion Picture." In 2009, Worthington teamed up with Christian Bale and director McG in Warner Brothers' Terminator Salvation. Recently, Worthington wrapped The Fields for producer Michael Mann and director Ami Canaan Mann, co-starring with Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He will next be seen in John Madden's The Debt, where he stars opposite Helen Mirren. The film will premiere at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival and will be released later this year.


About Radical Publishing
Radical Publishing is founded by Barry Levine (producer for Hercules, Caliber, Freedom Formula, Shrapnel, Abattoir, Oblivion, The Last Days of American Crime, Legends and executive producer for the in-development Rex Mundi movie for Warner Bros., written by Jim Uhls and starring Johnny Depp) and entrepreneur Jesse Berger (executive producer for Hercules, Caliber, Freedom Formula, Shrapnel, Abattoir, Oblivion, The Last Days of American Crime and Legends).

For their quality and excellence in 2008, Radical Publishing was granted the Gem Award for "Best New Publisher of the Year" from Diamond Comic Distributors. Radical brings the best writing, storytelling, and fully painted cover and interior art to the global comic book market, from prominent international talents such as Yoshitaka Amano, Keith Arem, Rain Beredo, Marc Bernardin, John Bolton, Ron L. Brinkerhoff, Bing Cansino, Matt Cirulnick, Tomm Coker, Clayton Crain, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Flint Dille, Marko Djurdjevic, Ian Edginton, Warren Ellis, James Farr, Adam Freeman, E. Max Frye, Antoine Fuqua, Justin Gray, Paul Gulacy, David Hine, Taka Ichise, Joseph Kosinski, Clint Langley, Adam Lawson, David Lapham, Richard Lee, Rob Levin, Darren Bousman, David Liss, Alex Maleev, Leonardo Manco, David Manpearl, Stephan Martinière, Francesco "Matt" Mattina, Peter Milligan, Steve Moore, Arvid Nelson, Wayne Nichols, Steve Niles, Jimmy Palmiotti, Nick Percival, Troy Peteri, Vincent Proce, Steve Pugh, Patrick Reilly, Rick Remender, Terry Rossio, Luis Royo, Nick Sagan, Kirsi Salonen, Sam Sarkar, Stjepan Sejic, M. Zachary Sherman, Bill Sienkiewicz, Wesley Snipes, Jim Steranko, Arthur Suydam, Patrick Tatopoulos, J.P. Targete, Greg Tocchini, Andree Wallin, Rich Wilkes, Dave Wilkins, Concept Art House, Haberlin Studios, Meduzarts Digital Environment Studio, Weta Workshop, Zombie Studios, and many more.

Currently, Radical Publishing has production deals with Spyglass Entertainment and Peter Berg's Film 44 for Hercules, with Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil for Caliber, New Regency and Bryan Singer's Bad Hat Harry Productions for Freedom Formula as well as Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment for Legends.

Radical Publishing Schedule at 2010 Comic-Con International

The 2010 Radical Publishing Comic-Con Signing Schedule

Takes place at the Radical Booth #3735!

Thursday, July 22nd

10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Rick Remender (The Last Days of American Crime)
Arvid Nelson (Oblivion)

12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.
Jimmy Palmiotti (Time Bomb)
David Hine (Ryder on the Storm, FVZA)
Nick Percival (Legends)

2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Radical Publishing Panel

5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Special EARP: SAINTS FOR SINNERS signing
Creator, co-writer Matt Cirulnick
Co-writer M. Zachary Sherman
Artist Kyushik Shin

Friday, July 23rd

11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Jimmy Palmiotti (Time Bomb)
David Hine (Ryder on the Storm, FVZA)
Arvid Nelson (Oblivion)

3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Rick Remender (The Last Days of American Crime)
Keith Arem (Call of Duty series, Radical's upcoming Exile)
Jimmy Palmiotti (Time Bomb)
Paul Gulacy (Time Bomb)Saturday, July 24th

11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Special AFTER DARK signing
Co-creator Antoine Fuqua
(Director of Training Day and Brooklyn's Finest)
Co-creator Wesley Snipes (Blade)

1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Special OBLIVION signing
Creator Joseph Kosinski (Director of Tron: Legacy)
Writer Arvid Nelson

3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Special THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME, DAMAGED and PATRIOTS signings
Sam Worthington
(Avatar, Patriots)
Creator and Writer Rick Remender
(The Last Days of American Crime)
Creators Michael Schwarz and
John Schwarz (Damaged)

Sunday, July 25th

11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
David Hine (Ryder on the Storm, FVZA)
Nick Percival (Legends)
Jimmy Palmiotti (Time Bomb)
Paul Gulacy (Time Bomb)


Artist Portfolio Reviews
Radical Publishing Art Director,
Jeremy Berger will be reviewing artist portfolios in the Portfolio Review Room located inside the Sales Pavilion everyday from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

VIZ Media Announces Three Sci-Fi Novels

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS SIZZLING SUMMER READING WITH THREE NEW HAIKASORU RELEASES

The Best In Critically Acclaimed Japanese Science Fiction And Fantasy Continues To Shine In New Releases From VIZ Media’s Haikasoru Imprint

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will deliver out-of-this-world summer science fiction and fantasy reading with the release of three new novels under its Haikasoru imprint this summer – HARMONY by Project Itoh, ROCKET GIRLS by Housuke Nojiri and SUMMER, FIREWORKS, AND MY CORPSE by Otsuichi.

Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences.

HARMONY by Project Itoh Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 • Available July 20th

In the distant future, Utopia has finally been achieved thanks to medical nanotechnology and a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. But this perfect world isn't that perfect, and three young girls stand up to totalitarian kindness and super-medicine by attempting suicide via starvation. It doesn't work, but one of the girls – Tuan Kirie – grows up to be a member of the World Health Organization. As a crisis threatens the harmony of the new world, Tuan rediscovers another member of her suicide pact, and together they must help save the planet ... from itself.

Keikaku (Project) Itoh was born in Tokyo in 1974 and graduated from Musashino Art University. In 2007, he debuted with Genocidal Organs and took first prize in the "Best SF of 2007" in Japan’s SF Magazine. Itoh is also the author of Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, a Japanese-language novel based on the popular video game series. After a long battle with cancer, Itoh passed away in March 2009. He wrote HARMONY while in the hospital receiving treatment for the disease.

ROCKET GIRLS by Housuke Nojiri Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99 • Available September 21st

Yukari Morita is a high school girl on a quest to find her missing father. While searching for him in the Solomon Islands, she receives the offer of a lifetime. She'll receive the help she needs to find her father, and all she must do in return is become the world's youngest, lightest astronaut. Yukari and her half sister Matsuri, both petite, are the perfect crew and payload for the Solomon Space Association's rocket launches, or they will be once they complete some rigorous and sometimes dangerous training.

Housuke Nojiri was born in Mie, Japan, in 1961. After working in instrumentation control, CAD programming and video game design, he published his first work in 1992, The Blind Spot of Veis, based on the video game Creguian. He gained further popularity with his subsequent works including the Creguian series and the Rocket Girl series. In 2002, he published USURPER OF THE SUN (published in English by Haikasoru in 2009) and ushered in a new era of science fiction in Japan. After first appearing as a series of short stories, USURPER went on to win the prestigious Seiun Award for Best Japanese Science Fiction Novel of 2002. Nojiri’s other works include Pendulum of Pinieru and Fuwa-Fuwa no Izumi.

SUMMER, FIREWORKS, AND MY CORPSE by Otsuichi Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 Available September 21st

Two short novels, including the title story and Black Fairy Tale, plus a bonus short story. Summer is the simple story of a nine-year-old girl who dies while on summer vacation. While her youthful killers try to hide her body, she tells us the story--from the point of view of her dead body--of the children's attempt to get away with murder. Black Fairy Tale is classic J-horror: a young girl loses an eye in an accident but receives a transplant. Now she can see again, but what she sees out of her new left eye is the experiences and memories of its previous owner. Its previous deceased owner.

Born 1978 in Fukuoka, Japan, Otsuichi won the Sixth Jump Short Fiction/Nonfiction Prize when he was seventeen with his debut story "Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse." Now recognized as one of the most talented young fantasy/horror writers in Japan, his other English-language works include the short story collection Calling You and the Honkaku Mystery Prize-winning novel Goth.

For more information on Haikasoru, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.haikasoru.com/.

Second Issue of Ross and Edwards' "Turf" Gets a Second Printing

GANGSTERS, VAMPIRES, ALIENS, OH MY!

TURF #2 sold out at distribution level; Image Comics takes it to press again

Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards' TURF -- a Prohibition-era tale of vampires, gangsters, and aliens -- is a certified hit with the sell out of issue #2! Image Comics is reprinting the issue, and it will be available on July 21, 2010.

"We're just knocked out by the response the first two issues have gotten,” exclaims Ross. “To get so much positive feedback and to sell out again is totally rad, as they used to say in the eighties. Turf three is just around the corner and the ride gets even bumpier, so stick around!”

"Creating TURF with Jonathan has been one of the most time-consuming yet rewarding experiences of my career,” adds Edwards. “I'm glad to see how much the readers are appreciating our hard work and that they enjoy seeing TURF's story-lines converge to become even more exciting, scary, funny and challenging."

TURF: New York, 1929. The height of Prohibition. The cops turn a blind eye while the mobs run the city, dealing in guns, girls and illegal liquor. But the arrival of the mysterious Dragonmir Family from Eastern Europe with more of a taste for blood then booze coincides with a series of brutal attacks on the gangsters themselves. As the gangs fall before the fangs, only a handful of mobsters survive. But an unlikely alliance formed between tough guy Eddie Falco and a character from a LONG way from New York City -- a long way from Earth in fact -- offers the humans a glimmer of hope. As the strong willed young reporter Susie Dale from the Gotham Herald tries to survive in the middle of the maelstrom and an ancient prophecy unfolds, no one can guess who's going to win the battle for this particular slice of Turf.

TURF #2 Second Printing (MAY108162), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores July 21, 2010.

Ross and Edwards will be joining Image Comics at Comic-Con International 2010 in San Diego on Thursday, July 22, and Friday, July 23, for a pair of exclusive signings from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. both days (booth #2729). Don't miss your chance to pick up a signed convention exclusive of sold out issue #1!


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.

Ultimo and the Good Guys

I read Ultimo, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has a new version of its iPhone app and an app for Palm webOS smartphones).

Elephantmen War Toys One-Shot Due in October

THE PERFECT SOLDIER

Marian Churchland returns to ELEPHANTMEN for War Toys one-shot

Russ Manning Award finalist Marian Churchland is returning to ELEPHANTMEN this October with the one-shot ELEPHANTMEN, WAR TOYS: AGATHE. Image Comics will release the book, written and drawn by Churchland with inks by Moritat, on October 20, 2010.

"I'm thrilled to have the chance to revisit one of ELEPHANTMEN's strongest characters, Yvette," says Churchland. "She's fierce, and she's formidable. Best of all, try as you might, she never relinquishes her inherent mystery."

In ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS ONE SHOT, French resistance fighter Yvette has survived the stunning conclusion of ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS, VOL. 1. As Yvette recovers from her injuries in a small village in Norway, the family that nurses her starts to wonder whether or not they have made the right decision...

ELEPHANTMEN, WAR TOYS: AGATHE, a 32-page full-color one-shot for $3.50, will be available October 20, 2010. Also available are ELEPHANTMEN VOL. 1: WOUNDED ANIMALS, ELEPHANTMEN VOL. 2: FATAL DISEASES, and ELEPHANTMEN VOL. 3: DANGEROUS LIAISONS, which collect the ongoing series.

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.

Bluewater Comics Brings Justin Bieber to "Fame"

JUSTIN BIEBER COMIC BOOK FROM BLUEWATER TAKES ON THE PHENOMENON

Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has it all: A booming musical career, a dedicated fan base, a smile that makes young girls swoon and an innocence that makes parents smile.

Now Bieber is set to become a comic book hero when Bluewater Productions taps his life story for its popular Fame series of biographical comics.

Fame: Justin Bieber is a traditional biography comic book and will hit comic book shops and online retailers in October. This 32-page issue will retail for $3.99.

Writer Tara Broeckel Ooten said that while researching the comic she became convinced that Bieber has what it takes to craft a long musical career.

“I'm reminded of the stories my mom tells about when she was young and Beatelmania invaded the United States. For me it was New Kids on the Block,” Broeckel Ooten said. “Now today's teens and tweens go wild for Justin, and rightly so. He is a talented young musician. He has such an enormous global fan base. That and his talent will probably give him some real staying power in the industry.”

Claudio Avella is the artist on the book, and Broeckel Ooten said that he perfectly captured the feel of her story.

“He is an extraordinary talent,” Broeckel Ooten said of Avella. “His work has a real energy and life to it, a positive energy that works well for this book.”

Bieber certainly has a story worth telling. He's a self-made star who used technology and social networking to promote himself and his music. He also happens to make music that's undeniably infectious.

“I listened to Bieber's music for the first time while working on this project, and I have to admit, it can really stick with you,” Broeckel Ooten said. “I would hear it played somewhere, usually in Target, and I'd start singing along. I respect the musicianship that Bieber brings to his projects.”

Bieber is far from the first celebrity to appear in Bluewater's Fame series. He joins Lady Gaga and Twilight star Robert Pattinson, both of whose Fame issues sold out of their first runs, along with Tyler Lautner and soccer star David Beckham. Two new issues of Fame come out this month featuring Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift.

Darren G. Davis, founder and president of Bluewater Productions, says that the biographical comics continually bring new readers to sequential storytelling. “This is a great medium for kids as well as adults. I had a hard time reading as a kid and comic books really improved my reading skills. One of the goals is trying to get kids away from the video games and reading more”

“With the Fame series, and our other biographical titles, we have succeeded in exposing comic books to readers who otherwise wouldn't pick up, say, an issue of Spider-Man,” Davis said. “I'm certain that our Justin Bieber comic will do the same; he certainly has a devoted group of fans whom I'm sure will be thrilled to see their favorite performer immortalized in comic form.”

In addition to its Fame series, Bluewater publishes Female Force, which looks at successful women, and Political Power, which traces the history of the world's most powerful politicians. Bluewater also publishes science-fiction, superhero, young adult and horror comics.

You can check out exclusive pages of the Fame: Justin Bieber comic book at RADARONLINE.COM by clicking here: http://bit.ly/8ZHVUn

To pre-order the comic book contact your local comic book store by going to www.comicshoplocator.com .

For more information about the company, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.