Devil's Due No Longer with Diamond Distributors

Press release (from a publisher in trouble):

DEVIL'S DUE PULLS DISTRIBUTION FROM DIAMOND

Re-aligns Book Store Distribution, Opens Direct Line to Retailers, Focuses on Digital Business

Devil's Due Publishing has pulled its distribution of comics and graphic novels from Diamond Comic and Diamond Book Distributors, effective today. The Publisher will soon be announcing its new book store distribution partners, and will offer product direct to comic book retail outlets, as well as distribution through Haven Comic Distributors.

"For almost over a year Devil's Due has been in an unwinnable situation wherein Diamond garnishes our revenues to pay back returns and fees it claims are owed from 2008 and 2009, making it impossible for us to keep up with payments to talent, printers, and other expenses while maintaining a stable business," said Josh Blaylock, president of Devil's Due, who was forced to wind down the company's publishing rather than ramp up as it originally planned to do when hit with a rough economy in 2008. "We've exhausted every resource to get on track, with a primary focus on catching up with talent payments first and formost, but when Diamond controls the money flow, that becomes impossible."

The decision did not come lightly, adds Blaylock, "Of course this is the last thing a company wants to do in the Diamond dominated comic book industry, but it is necessary if we are going to be able to ever again be able to turn the money faucet back on. I am hopeful that we will be able to work something out with Diamond in the future. Until we verify a number of questions regarding sales from late 2008 through the present, DDP will be utilizing other avenues of distribution to move back stock, as well as limited releases of select new material.

To order direct, DDP encourages customers to contact the numbers and emails below.

Haven Distributors
1-877-HAVEN-50(1-877-428-3650)
http://www.havendistro.com/

Devil's Due Direct Sales: j.blay@devilsdue.net

Book Store Distribution : Coming Soon

It also welcomes fans to purchase digital downloads on Graphic.ly, iVerse through the iTunes App store, and comiXology, the latter of which currently has over 100 comics available at https://comics.comixology.com/#/devils_due including the never-released-in-print Hack/Slash - Mercy Sparx: A Slice of Hell crossover special: https://comics.comixology.com/#/series/4592, as the sales from these companies are going in large part towards paying off moneys owed to licensors and talent.


About Devil's Due
Proliferators of comic culture, Devil's Due carries a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. Whether in Los Angeles or its homebase of Chicago, DDP is known for partnerships with and projects in development for film and television with 20th Century Fox, ABC Family, Relativity Media, New Line Cinema, Starz Media, Rogue Pictures, DiBonaventura Productions and more.

Devil's Due started in 2000 when founder Josh Blaylock left the apparel licensing industry to form a boutique creative solutions company with a publishing arm. That was until the comic book operation exploded. Devil's Due continues to be a pioneer in the industry with expansion into digital comics for the iPhone and mobile devices, collaborations with major motion picture producers and music artists.

Underground Comics Art Show in NYC

NYC Underground Comix Art Show "Time Capsules" Opening Party July 15th

Hour Wizdom Galleries
90 Ludlow Street (between Broome and Delancey), 4th Floor
New York City, NY 10002
Contact: hourwizdomproductions@gmail.com
212-731-9793

Opening Night Party: Thursday, July 15th, 8 PM-Midnight.
Exhibit Hours: July 16-August 1st, Wednesdays-Sundays 12-6 PM

The Hour Wizdom Gallery, Bonzai Ltd., and Jay Rogers are proud to present "Time Capsules: Original Underground Art of the 60's, 70's and Beyond...", an exhibition and sale of rare Underground Comix Original Art. The show will span an amazing range of work from many celebrated cartoonists from the Sixties to the Eighties, including: R. Crumb, Vaughn and Mark Bode, Rick Griffin, Jay Lynch, Victor Moscoso, Skip Williamson, Kim and Simon Deitch, Robert Williams, S. Clay Wilson, Trina Robbins, Justin Green, Dori Seda, Bill Griffith, Howard Cruse, Roberta Gregory, Guy Colwell, and Dan O'Neill, Shary Flenniken, Bobby London, and Gary Hallgren from The Air Pirates Studios. The gallery and exhibition open with a party on Thursday, July 15th, from 8PM until Midnight. Refreshments will be served.

Jay Rogers has been a collector and promoter of Underground Comix and art since the early Seventies. He was one of the first people to see the value and potential of Underground Art as a serious medium outside of the comics industry, and was instrumental in placing Robert Crumb's work squarely into the New York Gallery scene. His expansive collection has been used as a reference for numerous art shows and films, he has worked as a consultant for Sotheby's and Christie's Auctions, and has provided art and books to Heritage Auctions.

Ziggy Marley Presents "Marijuanaman"

A HERO FOR A NEW GENERATION

Ziggy Marley to join Image Comics for an exclusive signing at Comic-Con International 2010

Grammy Award-winning musician Ziggy Marley is adding another title to his already impressive resume: comic book author.

The first issue of Ziggy's book, MARIJUANAMAN, will hit store shelves across the country on April 20, 2011. In support of his book, Ziggy will be making an exclusive one-day-only appearance at Comic-Con International. On Saturday, July 24, Ziggy will be signing MARIJUANAMAN posters with publisher Image Comics from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at booth #2729. Joining him will be artist Jim Mahfood (MIXED TAPES) and co-writer Joe Casey (GODLAND, OFFICER DOWNE).

Five-time Grammy winner and Reggae icon Ziggy Marley's early immersion in music came at age ten when he sat in on recording sessions with his father Bob Marley. For the next decade, as front man to Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, Ziggy released eight best-selling albums, garnering three Grammys, with such chart-topping hits as "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down." Ziggy's first solo album, DRAGONFLY, was released in 2003, to much critical acclaim. His second solo release, LOVE IS MY RELIGION, won a Grammy in 2006 for Best Reggae Album. His third solo release, FAMILY TIME, scored him a Grammy in a new category: Best Musical Album For Children.

Now, Ziggy is blazing into the comic world with his latest project, MARIJUANAMAN. Ziggy's new superhero, Marijuanaman, is from a planet that is in desperate need of THC. Marijuanaman seeks to save Earth's marijuana fields from destruction by the drug company PharmeXon, and thus saving his home planet from destruction.

"I have been reading comics since I was a little boy in Jamaica,” Ziggy declares. “I am very excited to be a part of Image Comics, Comic-Con, and the comic book community."

Don’t miss Ziggy Marley's appearance at Comic-Con International 2010, where he will be signing limited edition Marijuanaman posters at Image Comics, booth #2729, on Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first issue of MARIJUANAMAN will be in stores April 20, 2011. Find out more at http://www.marijuanamancomic.com/.


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.

I Reads You Review: REBORN, VOL. 13

Creators: Akira Amano with JN Productions (translation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, B&W, paperback, 200 pages, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-2438-2 (ISBN-13)

Reborn! is an action, martial arts, and crime comedy shonen manga (comics for teen boys) from creator Akira Amano that is published by VIZ Media under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint. The series focuses mainly on two characters, although it has a rather large cast of supporting players and assorted weirdos.

The focus of the story is a nerd named Tsunayoshi “Tsuna” Sawada, who is just another failure at school, socializing, and sports. In fact, people know him as “Hapless Tsuna” or “Loser Tsuna.” The second character is Tsuna’s savior, of sorts, and the title character. This is Reborn; he is a toddler and an assassin. Reborn shows up at Tsuna’s home and informs the teen that he is destined to be the 10th boss of the Vongola mafia crime family.

Whenever he needs to help Tsuna be brave or show some gumption, Reborn shoots him with a magic bullet, the “deathparation shot” that turns Tsuna into a fearsome fighter. [This is similar to what spinach does to Popeye.] As Reborn grooms Tsuna to be a mafia boss, several young people, each with a talent that is as special as he or she is eccentric, gather around Tsuna to form his “family.”

As Reborn!, Vol. 13 (entitled The Mist Guardian) opens, Tsuna’s “family” members continue to battle Varia’s extraordinarily talented and skilled combatants. To the winner of each battle goes the loser’s share of the Vongola half-ring. This contest may decide which man will be the next Vongola boss, Tsuna (the chosen one) or Varia chief, Xanxus. Now, Tsuna’s pal Yamamoto Takeshi battles the supernaturally skilled Superbi Squalo, and it looks as if Yamamoto will lose – unless his father’s sword technique can save his life. And the Mist Guardian is revealed.

Early in the series, Reborn! came across as a bizarre, episodic mafia comedy – with the usual manga eccentricity. With the “Varia war,” storyline creator Akira Amano has given the story Bleach-like martial arts, adding explosive clashes of super powers and magic to the story. I miss the series’ original slapstick sitcom tone, but this new Shonen Jump action-style narrative is cool. The art, as ever, remains fantastic – solid compositions, amazing figure drawing, and some of the best comic book inking in the world. I think fight comics fans will agree.

B+

Guardians of the Globe is Now "Guarding the Globe"

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Guardians of the Globe miniseries now titled GUARDING THE GLOBE

Image Comics announces a name change for the six-issue Guardians of the Globe miniseries: GUARDING THE GLOBE.

The first issue of the six-issue miniseries, cowritten by Robert Kirkman (INVINCIBLE, THE WALKING DEAD) and Benito Cereno (INVINCIBLE PRESENTS: ATOM EVE & REX SPLODE, HECTOR PLASM) and illustrated by newcomer Ransom Getty, will be in stores in August.

In GUARDING THE GLOBE, heroes both familiar and new struggle to protect Earth in Invincible's absence. As the Viltrumite War rages on within the pages of INVINCIBLE, the ranks of the Guardians of the Globe are suddenly depleted. The world is in danger, and the team is in search of new blood. It's the biggest recruitment drive since Omni-Man slaughtered the original members. But will it be in time to stop The Order? This series is a can't-miss action extravaganza, with one-page backups by Chris Giarrusso (G-MAN, Mini-Marvels) featuring the Guardians of the Globe that never were: Invincible, Spawn, Rick Grimes, Barack Obama, and Gary Popper!

GUARDING THE GLOBE #1 (of 6), a 32-page full-color comic featuring a backup story by Chris Giarrusso, will be on sale for $3.50 on August 25, 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 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.

ZEs Maintenance Day

I read Ze Volume 4 (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has updated its iPhone app).  This is a yaoi title from 801 Media.

Dark Horse Company Blog Launches

DARK HORSE LAUNCHES COMPANY BLOG!

If you’ve recently visited the Dark Horse website, you may have noticed a new edition to the homepage. Just over a month ago, Dark Horse joined the blogosphere, and has been posting exclusive content ever since.

Combining a mix of feature content, interviews, and first looks, the Dark Horse company blog will become the premier venue for Dark Horse news online.

“The Dark Horse blog will provide a world-class experience for pop-culture fans looking for more information about our incredible line of comics, books, and toys,” said Dark Horse’s vice president of marketing, Micha Hershman. “By leveraging interactive technologies, providing direct-feedback mechanisms, and streamlining our distribution of news and editorial content, Dark Horse has taken another step toward fulfilling our promise as the most community-focused comic publisher in the world.”

The Dark Horse blog will slowly replace the existing Dark Horse press-release list. Please subscribe to our blog RSS feed for the latest Dark Horse news!

Visit the Dark Horse blog now at www.darkhorse.com/blog.