Female Force: Anne Rice Out Now

VAMPIRE CHRONICLER ANNE RICE BIOGRAPHY COMIC NOW AVAILABLE

Anne Rice, whose literary vampire novels injected undead life to the genre and spawned a legion of imitators, is now, herself, the protagonist of a comic book biography by Bluewater Productions out this week. Female Force: Anne Rice, currently available at comic book shops and various online outlets, follows the popular novelist from her formative years in her beloved New Orleans through the tragedies that influenced the creation of her most popular novels and her fervent rediscovery of Catholicism.

“Intensely compelling and beautifully drawn, the Anne Rice biography shares the heart-wrenching pain and raw beauty of one of the world’s most compelling authors. This is a keeper!” said reviewer Anne Elizabeth, Columnist on Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels for RT BOOK Reviews Magazine.

Rice has recently been in the news publicly distancing herself from the Catholic Church. Although the issue does not cover this recent event, it does encapsulate her entire career up to that point.

“Anne Rice's uniquely gothic, sensuous, and existential approach redefined the modern vampire mythology,” said issue author Scott Davis. “She advanced the vampire literary genre more than anyone since Bram Stoker.”

The Rice issue, penciled and inked by Louie deMartinis (cover art provided by Juanmar Studios and Vincent Deporter), is the fourth in Bluewater’s Female Force series highlighting authors of supernatural fiction.

“What I think fans will enjoy is the format of Rice being interviewed by a vampire as a nod to her seminal novel Interview with a Vampire,” said Davis. “This allows the Rice to provide added insight to her own story. Accordingly the vampire narrator adds his own spin as well.”

Female Force offers a broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history
and culture.

The monthly comic book series, launched earlier this year, has drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and Live with Regis and Kelly. It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.

The suggested retail price (SRP) for the upcoming trade paperback is $3.99 for the 22-page title.


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.

Following its commitment to green publishing, Bluewater comic books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. FSC certification guarantees that the paper used in Bluewater books contains fiber from well-managed and responsibility harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.

Rocketeer Reprint, Asterios Polyp Win Multiple Harvey Awards

Until I can get an official list or press release, I'll post this list of the winners of the 2010 Harvey Awards:

Best Writer – Robert Kirkman for The Walking Dead

Best Artist – Robert Crumb for Book Of Genesis

Best Cartoonist – Darwyn Cooke for Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter

Best Letterer – David Mazzucchelli for Asterios Polyp

Best Inker – Klaus Janson for Amazing Spider-Man

Best Colorist – Laura Martin for The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures

Best Cover Artist: Mike Mignola for Hellboy

Best New Talent – Rob Guillory for Chew.

Best New Series – Chew.

Best Continuing Or Limited Series – The Walking Dead

Best Original Graphic Publication For Younger Readers – The Muppet Show by Roger Langridge

Best Anthology – Wednesday Comics

Best Original Graphic Novel – Asterios Polyp

Best Previously Published Graphic Album- Mice Templar by Bryan JL Glass and Michael Avon Oeming

Best Syndicated Strip Or Panel – Mutts by Patrick McDonnell

Best Domestic Reprint Project – The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures

Best American Edition Of Foreign Material -The Art Of Osamu Tezuka

Best Online Work – PVP by Scott Kurtz

Special Award For Humor In Comics – Bryan Lee O’Malley for Scott Pilgrim Book 5

Special Award For Excellence In Presentation – The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures

Best Biographical, Historical Or Journalistic Presentation – The Art of Harvey Kurtzman

Best Single Issue Or Story – Asterios Polyp

The Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award – Tim Sale and Jerry Robinson

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award – Walt Simonson

The Secret of Madness

I read Madness Volume 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phone apps and they're FREE).  Madness is a yaoi title from BLU.

comiXology Develops App for Image Comics

IMAGE COMICS AND COMIXOLOGY LAUNCH APP FOR iOS

Independent Creators Gain Unparalleled Access to Digital Distribution Through Leading Comic Platform

Image Comics enters the digital market today with the launch of the Image Comics app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The app, developed on the leading digital comic book platform by comiXology, allows fans unprecedented digital access to the creator-owned comics that Image proudly publishes.

The partnership between Image and comiXology offers Image creators a direct line to digital distribution. Among the independent content now available digitally are Image's most popular titles, including SAVAGE DRAGON, CHEW, BATTLE POPE and Rob Liefeld's YOUNGBLOOD. The Image Comics app will also be the first to feature work from Todd McFarlane with the inclusion of HAUNT, created in collaboration with Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE).

"With the launch of the Image Comics app, we have an opportunity to provide our creators with the digital support that, for many of them, was unattainable before," says Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "comiXology has established a very impressive track record of bringing independent content into the digital world. Today represents a milestone in our growth as a company and enables us to increase the availability of the fantastic titles we publish."

"Our partnership with Image is indicative of our shared vision to help independent creators thrive in the traditional print community as well as the explosive digital marketplace," adds David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. "The demand for creator-owned content is at an all time high, and we are thrilled to be able to provide fans with what they want. We're lucky now to work directly with Image and to offer the creators a clear path to the digital market."

The Image Comics app is now available for free download from the iTunes App Store. In addition to individual issues for ongoing series, which are priced for $1.99, Image will also offer fans issues of several popular Image titles, sneak peeks of upcoming titles, and other exclusive content for free.


About Image Comics
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 five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound 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.

About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel, DC and BOOM! Studios as well as their own mobile and web apps, hosting over 2300 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

D.Gray-man Innocent Ghost Thief

I read D.Gray-man, Vol. 18

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phone apps and they're FREE).

"27" is New Miniseries from Image Comics

BURNING OUT AND FADING AWAY

A rockstar tries to survive his talent in 27, a new miniseries from Image Comics

Hendrix, Cobain, Joplin, Morrison. All died at age 27. In 27, and all-new miniseries from Image Comics and Shadowline, a gifted rock musician fights to make it to his 28th birthday.

This four-issue series is written by Charles Soule (Strongman), drawn by the brilliant Renzo Podesta (Hard Drive, Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom), and features gorgeous covers by W. Scott Forbes (FORGETLESS). It will be published in the larger Golden Age format.

In 27, the "27 Club" admits only the most brilliant musicians and artists -- and kills them dead in their 27th year. Will Garland is a famous rock guitarist, secretly unable to play for months due to a neurological disorder afflicting his left hand. He's also 27. With mad scientists, long dead rock legends and cosmic entities in his way, can he make it to 28?

27 #1 (of 4), a 32-page full-color comic book in the Golden Age format, will be in stores November 10, 2010.


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 five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound 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.

Jerry Robinson at Baltimore Comic-Con

Jerry Robinson & Abrams ComicArts Come to Baltimore!

Jerry Robinson, the legendary artist who created the Joker and many other beloved comic book villains and heroes will sign copies of Jerry Robinson: The Ambassador of Comics on Saturday, August 28th and Sunday, August 29th at 11am at the Abrams ComicArts booth (1503). Jerry will also be in attendance at the 2010 Harvey Awards Banquet and Ceremony.

Launched in 2009 as an imprint of the preeminent art book publisher ABRAMS, Abrams ComicArts publishes a wide array of books on comic arts and artists as well as original graphic novels. Recent titles include The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis by Matt Groening, the Eisner Award-winning The Art of Harvey Kurtzman by Dennis Kitchen, Shazam! by Chip Kidd, and Harvey Award Nominees: Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow by Brian Fies, The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness by Reinhard Kleist, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy, Secret Identity: The Fetish art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster by Craig Yoe, Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater by Eric P. Nash and Underground Classics by James Danky and Denis Kitchen.

Todd McFarlane Signing Schedule Expands to Benefit the Hero Initiative
Based on the response from his horde of fans and Todd's interest in supporting the Hero Initiative, Todd has expanded his schedule to have signing sessions on Saturday, August 28th from 10:30am-11:30am AND 1:30pm-3:30pm. These signings will be done at booth 2403. In addition, we will have a Todd McFarlane spotlight panel session (room 308) from 12pm-1pm.

The Hero Initiative signing will happen from 10:30-11:30am in booth 2403. The signing will be limited to two items per person, with a required donation of $5.00 toward the Hero Initiative Fund. The second signing time, sponsored by Image, will again be limited to 2 items at no additional cost to the fans.

Second Annual Baltimore Comic-Con Auction
On Sunday afternoon at 3:00, please join us in panel room 301-303 to see our annual art auction. The Auction will feature work by this year's guests of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Not everyone can get in line early enough to get a sketch from an artist at a convention, and this is your chance to walk away with a memory from the show. The material will be on display throughout the weekend in the convention hall.

THIS JUST IN : Our auction will be hosted by the cool guys from the Comic Book Diner podcast, artists Rich Faber, John Gallagher, and Jamar Nicholas, along with their pal and Perhapanauts co-creator Todd Dezago. They promise to make it a fun, lively event. Come on out and join the fun.

Floor Plan Now On-Line
After fielding numerous requests from both guests and attendees alike, the Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce the addition of our floor plan to our on-line content. To view the floor plan, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/index.php/guests/2010-hall-layout/.

Cancellations:
Unfortunately, Geoff Johns has canceled his appearance at the show this weekend due to circumstances beyond his control. "Marc Nathan puts on an amazing show in Baltimore, one I've been to many times and was really looking forward to attending again this year. I had planned on being there Sunday, and I am sorry that I will not be able to make it out there. I'll see everyone for Baltimore 2011 and the first round of drinks will be on me!"

Additionally, Kenneth Rocafort and Michael Broussard will not be able to join us this year either. They both send their regrets and apologies for not being able to make it.

Added Guests
We are pleased to announce the addition of the following guests to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con: Nelson Blake II (Magdalena), Rebecca Buchman (Brightest Day), Alex Eckman-Lawn (Awakening), Kate Glasheen (Hybrid Bastards!), Dave Johnson (Deadpool), Jason Latour (I Am An Avenger), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Dan Panosian (X-Factor Forever), Andrew Robinson (Halo), Dave Rodriguez (Starkweather: Immortal), Val Staples (Criminal), Richard Starkings (Elephentmen), Dirk Strangely (Jim Henson's Legends of the Dark Crystal), André Szymanowicz (Elephentmen), Nick Tapalansky (Awakening), and Mike Witmer (44 Union Avenue).

As always, the latest developments on the Baltimore Comic-Con can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.