ComiXology to Offer New and Classic Valiant Comics

VALIANT AND COMIXOLOGY ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

All-New Upcoming Valiant Titles To Be Available Same Day As Print

Get X-0 Manowar #1 Digitally Today At ComiXology.com

Classic Valiant Titles Also Available Today!

Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce that it has reached an exclusive digital comics distribution agreement with comiXology, the world's largest digital comics platform available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web with over 60 million comic and graphic novel downloads to date.

Beginning May 2nd with the release of the all-new X-O Manowar #1 by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti (The Surrogates) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan), comiXology will offer same-day as print digital releases for all of Valiant's upcoming titles. Additionally, Valiant's expansive back catalog of classic content will also be exclusively available via comiXology.

"There's tremendous excitement around Valiant's return, and they're bringing with them one of the greatest libraries of comic characters and stories in comics," said comiXology CEO and co-Founder David Steinberger. "We couldn't be more proud to partner with Valiant in the digital marketplace. We're sure to see the original Valiant fans energized by making these great comics available across the globe, while also bringing in a whole new generation of readers."

Set for a much anticipated summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant will soon return with four new series, all of which will debut as same-day as print digital releases on comiXology - X-O Manowar #1 on sale today, Harbinger #1 on June 6th, Bloodshot #1 on July 11th, and Archer & Armstrong #1 on August 8th.

Moreover, in conjunction with the today's release of X-O Manowar #1, comiXology is adding the first-ever digital editions of three classic storylines from Valiant's vast archive of best-selling comics to comiXology's library of more than 20,000 issues:

X-O Manowar (1992) #0-6 by Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor-Smith & Joe Quesada


Harbinger (1992) #0-6 by Jim Shooter & David Lapham


Bloodshot (1993) #0-4 by Kevin VanHook & Don Perlin

"For the first time, through comiXology's platform, Valiant Comics will be available anywhere in the world," said Valiant CEO Jason Kothari. "With Valiant's return now in full effect with today's release of X-O Manowar #1, the timing couldn't be better to remind people once again of the incredible characters and stories that made Valiant a household name."

As part of the exclusive agreement, Valiant Entertainment titles will also be available through comiXology's Digital Retailer Storefront program. This enables retailers to sell Valiant's digital comics through their own website while comic book fans can purchase digital comics from their local comic store's digital storefront with a portion of each purchase going directly to the retailer.

Future digital releases on comiXology will delve deeper into the Valiant catalog, and feature classic series including Archer & Armstrong, Rai, Ninjak, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and Quantum & Woody.

In the meantime, today fans everywhere can now add all-new Valiant material to their digital comics libraries with X-O Manowar #1, from writer Robert Venditti and artist Cary Nord, available now on the Comics by comiXology platform - available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web.


About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant Entertainment is a character-based publishing and licensing company that owns and controls some of the most cherished comic characters ever created across all media worldwide. Since their creation in 1989, Valiant characters have sold 80 million comic books and have been the basis of a number of successful video game franchises. Valiant's extensive library includes over 1,500 characters, such as X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, and Ninjak. Visit www.valiantentertainment.com.

About comiXology
Founded in 2007 with the mission of bringing comics to people everywhere, comiXology - in just five short years - has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel world. From creating the industry leading platform for digital comics to tools and services for brick and mortar retailers, comiXology has lead the charge in exposing new audiences to the rich history and culture of comic books. With the development of the Comics by comiXology digital comics platform - available across iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web - comiXology provides the easiest way worldwide for people to enjoy comics at just the click of a button! Regularly ranking as the top grossing iPad app in the entire iTunes App Store, Comics by comiXology was recently selected as a preloaded app on Amazon's Kindle Fire. Providing digital comics across multiple platforms, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the earth has been turned into a comic book fan.

Psyren: Melzez Door

I read Psyren, Vol. 4: Melzez's Door

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

I Reads You Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #6

"The Jim Lee Project"
JUSTICE LEAGUE #6
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams with Sandra Hope, Batt, and Mark Irwin
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Tony Avina and Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams, with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Rod Reis
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

So two months after I read the fifth issue, I finally read Justice League #6 (entitled “Part Six” or Justice League Part Six”). This new Justice League comic book series, launched the last week of August 2011, is essentially the flagship title of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, which also began the last week of August 2011.

As the issue begins, seven superheroes: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Cyborg, who are not part of a team and who are not all friends, have gathered to stop an alien invasion of Earth. Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Cyborg, in a united front, try to takedown the leader of this invasion, Darkseid. Meanwhile, on Darkseid’s world, Batman attempts to rescue Superman, who is being tortured by Desaad.

For this opening story arc of the new Justice League, writer Geoff John’s offers what is simply just one big battle that allows him to introduce his new version of the Justice League team lineup. It’s a fairly good story, but, it is also really a single-issue (at most, two-issue) story stretched to six issues i.e. trade paperback size.

To be honest with you, dear reader, I am following this series for Jim Lee’s art. When I review issues not drawn by Lee, you better believe that I got those as freebies. Back to Lee’s art: what glorious art it is! Lee summons his inner Jack Kirby by delivering pencil art full of super powers on display and super-beings in motion. Lee brings out the Kirby bat on such delicious splash pages and spreads as the one featuring Wonder Woman stabbing Darkseid in the eye, Superman flying into Darkseid’s midsection, and the Cyborg boom tube explosion. Ahhh, I think I need a cigarette.

A-

There is a Pandora back-up by Geoff Johns (writer), Carlos D’Anda (artist), Gabe Eltaeb (colors), and Sal Cipriano (letters).

The Avengers to Assemble for Free Comic Book Day 2012

National Free Comic Book Day Hits Saturday, May 5th; Over 3.5 million comics to be given away free to comic shop customers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On May 5th, over two thousand comic book shops across North America and around the world will share the magic of comic books with their communities when they give out over 3.5 million comic books—free of charge—during Free Comic Book Day, which marks its eleventh anniversary this year.

There’s literally a free comic book available for everyone’s taste, including such favorites as The Avengers, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers…there’s even a comic book on Animal Planet’s The World’s Most Dangerous Animals.

Comic book publishing heavyweights Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics are among the many sponsors creating special titles for Free Comic Book Day 2012. The free books are designed to appeal to a broad range of tastes, including action-packed super-hero stories featuring Superman and Spider-Man; sci-fi adventures set in the universes of Star Wars and Transformers; classic tales starring Charles Schulz’s Peanuts and Walt Disney’s Donald Duck; and great kids comics for younger fans featuring The Smurfs, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Owly.

“Free Comic Book Day is a perfect occasion for customers to discover comic books,” said FCBD spokesperson Leslie Bowser, “especially if they’re new to the wide variety of titles that are being published today. On May 5th, we encourage new and current readers to use Free Comic Book Day as an opportunity to learn about the great comic books and pop-culture merchandise to be found at their local comic book shop. Hopefully, they’ll walk away with free comics they can't wait to read, then keep coming back to their local shop for more!”

Along with free comics, many comic book shops will feature events during the day including creator signings, appearances of favorite super-heroes or cosplayers and great deals on exclusives and sale items.

Customers can check out the full list of available titles on the Free Comic Book Day website, http://www.freecomicbookday.com/, and use the FCBD Store Locator to find a participating comic book shop in their area.

Look for more FCBD news and updates on the FCBD website, www.freecomicbookday.com; become a fan at Facebook (www.facebook.com/freecomicbook); and follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/freecomicbook.


ABOUT FREE COMIC BOOK DAY— Celebrating its eleventh year, Free Comic Book Day is an annual event where participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. The event is held the first Saturday in May and is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many worlds of wonder available at local comic book shops. From super-heroes to slice of life to action/adventure and beyond, Free Comic Book Day has a comic book for everyone!

© 2012 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. and Free Comic Book Day, Inc. All rights reserved.

Fantagraphics Bookstore and Donald Duck Do Free Comic Book Day 2012

Fantagraphics Bookstore Celebrates Free Comic Book Day On May 5 with Classic Collectible Comix!

Don’t miss Free Comic Book Day at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Seattle. On Saturday, May 5, the Georgetown shop will be giving away free copies of specially produced comic books by master cartoonists like Carl Barks, Crockett Johnson and, while supplies last, the coveted Unseen Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2012, the annual Free Comic Book Day promotion is a national effort on the part of publishers and retailers to attract new readers to the medium as well as show appreciation to loyal customers.

Seattle-based Fantagraphics Books offers two new titles for Free Comic Book Day this year, appealing to readers of all ages. Donald Duck Family Comics features 34 pages of full color comics by the great Carl Barks. Join Donald, his nephews, Uncle Scrooge and others on amazing adventures in some of the most acclaimed comics ever created. Also in store is Barnaby and Mr. O’Malley by Crockett Johnson. This rollicking strip follows the tyke Barnaby and his mischievous fairy godfather Mr. O’Malley. These wonderful cartoons will soon be collected in a handsome edition by Fantagraphics Books.

The first 50 customers at Fantagraphics Bookstore on May 5 will receive a free copy of Unseen Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. This delightful edition serves as both an introduction to the classic strip and a treasury of fascinating oddities designed to appeal to even the most fervent Peanuts fans. First issued by Fantagraphics Books for Free Comic Book Day five years ago, Unseen Peanuts became an instant collectible.

Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) in the heart of Seattle’s historic Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 2 2012

DC COMICS

MAR120176 ACTION COMICS #9 $3.99

MAR120179 ACTION COMICS #9 COMBO PACK $4.99

FEB120289 AMERICAN VAMPIRE TP VOL 02 (MR) $17.99

MAR120215 ANIMAL MAN #9 $2.99

FEB120247 ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 01 THE HUNT $14.99

FEB120258 BATMAN AND ROBIN TP VOL 03 BATMAN ROBIN MUST DIE $17.99

MAR120195 BATWING #9 (NIGHT OF THE OWLS) $2.99

MAR120189 DETECTIVE COMICS #9 (NIGHT OF THE OWLS) $3.99

MAR120192 DETECTIVE COMICS #9 COMBO PACK (NIGHT OF THE OWL) $4.99

MAR120153 DIAL H #1 $2.99

MAR120145 EARTH 2 #1 $3.99

MAR120155 GI COMBAT #1 $3.99

MAR120174 GREEN ARROW #9 $2.99

FEB128248 JUSTICE LEAGUE #6 2ND PTG $3.99

JAN120299 JUSTICE LEAGUE HC VOL 01 ORIGIN $24.99

MAR120163 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #9 $2.99

MAR120211 RED LANTERNS #9 $2.99

FEB120298 SANDMAN TP VOL 09 THE KINDLY ONES NEW ED (MR) $19.99

MAR120235 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #1 $3.99

SEP110190 SPIRIT WORLD HC $39.99

MAR120221 STORMWATCH #9 $2.99

FEB128227 SUPERMAN #1 3RD PTG $2.99

MAR120213 SWAMP THING #9 $2.99

MAR120285 SWEET TOOTH #33 (MR) $2.99

MAR120228 TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 (THE CULLING) $4.99

MAR120147 WORLDS FINEST #1 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 2 2012

MARVEL COMICS

MAR120626 AGE OF APOCALYPSE #3 $2.99

MAR120571 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #685 ENDS $3.99

FEB120675 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN SECRET ORIGINS TP $14.99

MAR120544 AVENGERS ACADEMY #29 AVX $2.99

FEB120647 AVENGERS ART OF AVENGERS HC SLIPCASE $49.99

FEB120651 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TP VOL 03 $34.99

MAR120581 AVENGERS BLACK WIDOW STRIKES #1 (OF 3) $2.99

DEC110698 AVENGERS KREE SKRULL WAR HC $34.99

MAR120530 AVENGERS VS X-MEN #3 (OF 12) AVX $3.99

FEB120664 AVENGERS X-SANCTION HC $24.99

MAR120608 DAREDEVIL #12 $2.99

MAR120606 DEFENDERS #6 $3.99

MAR120579 DOROTHY AND WIZARD IN OZ #6 (OF 8) $3.99

MAR120601 EXILED #1 $2.99

MAR120629 FURY MAX #1 (MR) $3.99

DEC110712 HULK RETURN OF MONSTER PREM HC $29.99

DEC110713 HULK RETURN OF MONSTER PREM HC DM VAR ED 90 $29.99

MAR120550 HULK SMASH AVENGERS #1 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR120589 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #516 $3.99

FEB128084 MARVEL SUPER HEROES #1 $4.99

MAR120549 MARVELS AVENGERS AVENGERS INITIATIVE $2.99

FEB120646 MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE TP $14.99

FEB128213 SUPERCROOKS #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG YU VAR (MR) (PP #1017) $2.99

MAR120612 TOY STORY #3 (OF 4) $2.99

MAR120560 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #10 $3.99

MAR120565 VENOM #17 $2.99

MAR120614 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN ALPHA AND OMEGA #5 (OF 5) $3.99

MAR120621 X-FACTOR #235 $2.99

MAR120619 X-MEN #28 $3.99