Monday, July 26, 2010

Two Hardcover "Walking Dead" Books Due in October

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR THE WALKING DEAD

Catch up with THE WALKING DEAD in October with new trades and t-shirts

Whether you're new to the series or a dedicated fan, you won't be able to miss THE WALKING DEAD in October. The new TV series premiers on AMC, and you'll be able to catch up on the Image Comics series with THE WALKING DEAD BOOK SIX and with THE WALKING DEAD: THE COVERS.

THE WALKING DEAD BOOK SIX hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series by Robert Kirkman with art by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn. An oversized hardcover volume, BOOK SIX also features the covers for each of the issues. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie that never ends. BOOK SIX collects THE WALKING DEAD #61-72.

In THE WALKING DEAD: THE COVERS, Image Comics presents a full-color hardback collection of the first 50 covers of the series, as well as covers for various collected editions of the series, with added sketch material and commentary.

You'll have one other way to show your love for the THE WALKING DEAD in October: THE WALKING DEAD “HEAD STAB” and "I HEART" T-SHIRTS! Featuring artwork by Charlie Adlard, they're the best way to show the world that you love THE WALKING DEAD!

THE WALKING DEAD BOOK SIX, a 304 page black-and-white hardcover for $34.99, will be in stores October 13, 2010. THE WALKING DEAD: THE COVERS, a 184-page full-color hardcover, will be available October 6, 2010. THE WALKING DEAD “HEAD STAB” and "I HEART" T-SHIRTS will be available the same day. You’ll be able to start counting the days on September 8, 2010, when THE WALKING DEAD 2011 CALENDAR hits store shelves!


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Take this Watchmen and Shove It

Wired.com's Underwire column offered a shocking tidbit last week.  Apparently, DC Comics offered to return the rights to Watchmen to Alan Moore, if Moore agreed to write some prequels and sequels to the landmark, legendary, acclaimed comic book miniseries turned graphic novel.  Moore rejected it:

“So I just told them that if they said that 10 years ago, when I asked them for that, then yeah it might have worked,” he said. “But these days I don’t want Watchmen back. Certainly, I don’t want it back under those kinds of terms.”

Speculation is that DC Comics' new regime is ready to move forward with new Watchmen projects.  As far as I'm concerned, when it comes to Watchmen, DC should just move on!


Announcing the Birth of Stan Lee Comics

A Squared Entertainment (A2), Archie Comics and the Legendary Stan Lee Team Up to Create Stan Lee Comics

Stan Lee to Create, Write, Produce and Lend His Voice and Likeness to New Comic Book Superheroes

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Squared Entertainment (A2), a full-service brand entertainment company, Archie Comics, the leading producer of comic book entertainment, and Stan Lee, founder, chairman and chief creative officer (CCO) of POW! Entertainment (Pink Sheets: POWN) announced today at Comic-Con a new 21st century comic book label, Stan Lee Comics.

Stan Lee Comics, based on new and original creations from Lee, will be published across both print and digital formats. Alongside the comic books, the franchises will be produced as both animated and live action entertainment, including webisodes and companion games. The new Lee creations will also be licensed and merchandised globally, across toys, video games, publishing and apparel, thereby creating a worldwide network of community support across a fully integrated brand. The first series, “Stan Lee and the Super Seven,” will also debut with an original made-for-video animated motion picture.

In 2010, Stan Lee Comics introduces three new superhero franchises including the world’s first reality comic book. Stan Lee makes his debut as a featured character in “Stan Lee and the Super Seven” when he befriends seven aliens who find themselves stranded after their spaceship crashes. The second, ”Airwalker,” was teased in last week’s episode of HBO’s hit series, “Entourage.” This Sunday’s episode will continue the story line with a cameo appearance by Lee. The third franchise of Stan Lee Comics will be announced in October 2010.

“This has been a lifelong dream for myself, Stan Lee and Jon Goldwater,” said A2 Entertainment co-founder and CEO, Andy Heyward. “We have known and respected each other’s work for years. A2 Entertainment is honored to collaborate and create the next great label of superheroes with a living legend in this field.”

"Creating this comic book line has been a humbling experience," says Archie Comics Co-CEO, Jon Goldwater. "With this project we’ve brought together the most successful creator of comic book characters of all time, the most prolific producer of children's entertainment and one of the most successful comic book publishers of all time to create a new series of superheroes that will influence generations to come.”

“For many reasons, Stan Lee Comics is an especially important venture for me,” says POW! Chairman and Founder Stan Lee. “With this new line, I have the chance to be intimately involved with the creation of a new world of superheroes and the opportunities are limitless with the Web, TV, film and more. Although the mediums may change, this proves there will always be a place for superheroes in the world of entertainment.”

A2 will manage the animated and live programming, as well as the global licensing and merchandising. Archie Comics will be responsible for the publication of the comics, in both the print and digital formats. Lee will be involved with all creation and creative for Stan Lee Comics.


About A Squared Entertainment (A2) LLC
A Squared Entertainment (A2) is a full-service brand entertainment company that creates, develops, produces, programs, markets, merchandises and distributes content across all channels: online, offline, on-air and at retail outlets.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, A2 Entertainment was created by Co-Presidents Andy Heyward and Amy Moynihan Heyward in 2009. Having spent the last quarter of a century in the kids industry, the two created A2 Entertainment with a mission to develop meaningful entertainment in various formats and recreate the way brands are managed and brought to market in a multimedia, multi-tasking world. A2 Entertainment is currently producing the “Secret Millionaire's Club” with billionaire Warren Buffett, “Gisele & the Green Team” with supermodel Gisele Bündchen and “Martha & Friends” with American media mogul and business magnate Martha Stewart.

About Archie Comics
The Archie Comics line of comic books is one of the most successful, longest running brands in the history of the comic industry. Archie Comics have sold 1.5 billion comics and are published in a dozen different foreign languages and distributed all over the world. Archie Comics has spawned characters whose popularity has spilled over into other media and who have become part of popular culture. SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS are just some of the many legendary franchises that are part of the Archie Comics Library.

About POW! (PURVEYORS OF WONDER) ENTERTAINMENT, INC. (Pink Sheets: POWN)
An advanced media and entertainment company, POW! was founded by Stan Lee, together with award winning producer Gill Champion and intellectual property attorney Arthur Lieberman, Esq., to create, produce and license original intellectual properties. POW! Specializes in franchises for the entertainment industry, including animation and live-action feature films, plus television, DVDs, video games, merchandising and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Strawberry 100% Give and Take

I read Strawberry 100%, Vol. 13 (Strawberry 100 %)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has apps for the iPhone and Palm smartphones).



Movie Director Wes Craven to Create Graphic Novel

Wes Craven to Create Original Graphic Novel with Liquid Comics & Cheyenne Enterprises

Prolific filmmaker of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ & ‘Scream’ to Create His First Graphic Novel

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liquid Comics (formerly Virgin Comics) announced today a publishing partnership with legendary filmmaker Wes Craven (Scream, The Hills Have Eyes, Nightmare on Elm Street) and producer Arnold Rifkin (Hostage, 16 Blocks, Live Free or Die Hard), wherein Craven will create his first original graphic novel story.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Liquid Comics and Cheyenne Enterprises on the development of an original idea for both a comic book and for a subsequent film based on it. It's an idea I've been dying to get out there, and working in collaboration with Sharad Devarajan and Arnold Rifkin will be the ideal win/win way to do it,” commented Craven.

Details on Craven’s story have not yet been released and Liquid Comics is currently engaged in dialogues with leading creators in the comic book industry to work with Craven on the project. The graphic novel deal was finalized by Craven’s team at WME, Industry Entertainment, and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

“We are equally excited about our new collaboration with Liquid Comics and iconic filmmaker Wes Craven. The opportunity to work with someone as creative as Wes is only enhanced by the addition of Liquid Comics, who’s resources and understanding of the graphic novel world will be of significant value as we create this new franchise,” added Arnold Rifkin, President of Cheyenne Enterprises.

Liquid plans to launch the story as a four issue comic-book series starting early next year. In addition to print, Liquid will launch a number of digital initiatives allowing Craven’s fans to experience his graphic novel story across a variety of platforms including online or through their iPad, iPhone and other mobile and gaming devices.

“Wes Craven has continuously been at the forefront of redefining the horror and thriller genres. We are honored to be able to work with him to bring his creativity and genius to graphic novels for the first time,” added, Liquid Comics Co-Founder & CEO, Sharad Devarajan. “In addition to Wes, we are thrilled to be working with Arnold Rifkin, whose prolific experience as a producer will help us take Wes’s story beyond the printed page and on to the big screen.”


ABOUT LIQUID COMICS:
Liquid Comics is an entertainment company focused on creating original stories and modern myths for worldwide audiences. The company was founded by entrepreneurs, Gotham Chopra, Sharad Devarajan and Suresh Seetharaman and uses the medium of graphic novel publishing to develop properties for theatrical live-action films, animation and video games. Liquid has created original graphic novels with acclaimed filmmakers and creators including John Woo, Shekhar Kapur, Deepak Chopra, Guy Ritchie, Dave Stewart, Jonathan Mostow, Edward Burns, Nicolas Cage, John Moore and others. The Company currently has a number of film and television projects in development including the Warner Bros. film adaptation of Gamekeeper with director Guy Ritchie; Virulents with director John Moore; Voodoo Child with Saturn Films and Reliance; The Leaves with Summit Entertainment; Beyond in development as a theatrical film with author Deepak Chopra; The Stranded, in development for television, with the Syfy Channel and First Family in development at FremantleMedia Enterprises. www.LiquidComics.com

ABOUT CHEYENNE ENTERPRISES: Arnold Rifkin – Cheyenne Enterprises
Arnold Rifkin formed Cheyenne Enterprises in January 2000 with his former client of 17 years, Bruce Willis. Cheyenne has produced such feature films as Bandits, Hart's War, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Tears of the Sun, The Whole Ten Yards, Hostage, Sixteen Blocks, Just My Luck, Live Free or Die Hard, Deception, and the mixed martial arts film Blood & Bone, recently released by Sony. Rifkin recently optioned the high-profile graphic novel Jeremiah Harm Boom! Studios and has attached Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch; Wanted) to helm the adaptation. In television, Cheyenne, A. Smith & Co. and Mighty Loud Entertainment aired their reality series Full Throttle Saloon on TruTV in 2009 and have been picked up for a second season in 2010. Before founding Cheyenne Enterprises, Rifkin was a talent agent for over 20 years. He started his career with Nicole David at their company Rifkin-David, and he was a founding partner of the hugely successful Triad Artists. In 1992, Triad Artists was acquired by the William Morris Agency, and Rifkin was named worldwide head of the WMA Motion Picture Department. In 1995, he ascended to the role of president of the agency, where he remained until September 1999. Mr. Rifkin has been a visiting professor at the UCLA producers’ program for the last 15 years and has additionally guest lectured at Harvard, Columbia and Yale Universities and the Learning Annex.

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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Bluewater Productions for August 2010

Here are the August 2010 titles from BLUEWATER:

First Families: The Clintons: flip book
Writer: Various
Pencils: Various
Cover Artist(s): cover: Michal Szyksznian

This special edition comic book featuring the first family biographies is now together for the first time in this 48-page one shot.

Nanny & Hank #1
Writer: Mark L. Miller
Pencils: Steven Babb
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers: Steven Babb

Nanny & Hank were enjoying their golden years in a retirement community, planning trips to see their grandchildren, and living the simple life...until they cross paths with a blood-drunk vampire. Now their lives will never be the same in this miniseries that turns all expectations you have about horror on its ear.

Vincent Price Presents: #22
Writer: Paul J. Salamoff
Pencils: Geoffrey Grisso
Cover Artist(s): GMB

Assignments on frontier planets always irritated intergalactic mob hitman Randall Stiles and his partner Jake Mackey and this mission would soon prove why. What starts out as a seemingly routine pick-up turns quite deadly in this Sci-Fi tale from Vincent Price who takes the reader on an unexpected ride to the outer edge of the known Universe.

S.E. Hinton's The Puppy Sister: GRAPHIC NOVEL
Writer: S.E. Hinton & Don Smith
Pencils: Yasir
Cover Artist(s): cover: Ramon Salas

S.E. Hinton, was and still is, one of the most popular and best known writers of young adult fiction and now she comes to graphic novels in this touching family story. Nick and his parents get more than they bargained for when their newly adopted puppy, Aleasha, decides she'll have more fun with her new "family" if she becomes human, too. So begins a laugh-out-loud adventure told from Aleasha's point of view, about her transformation from puppy to girl.

Logan's Run: aftermath #2
Author(s): Paul Salamoff
Artist(s) Daniel Gete
Cover Artist(s): 1 covers: Daniel Gete

They made a deal. A trade. Jessica and Jaq were the bargaining chips. But they messed with the wrong man: Logan-6…Destroyer of the Thinker. The ex-DS Operative once again dons the onyx suit and skull helmet that made him legend. But this time he serves no law, just his own justice and mercy on any soul that stands in his way.

10th Muse: Cover Lost Issues
Writer: Darren G. Davis
Pencils: Roger Cruz
Cover Artist(s): Roger Cruz

In this lost issue of the 10th Muse by X-Men artist ROGER CRUZ. Featuring the story that inspired the “Insane Jane” comic series. A crazy new hero is on the loose and it is up to the 10th Muse to figure out the connection she has with her before someone gets hurt.

Rock & Roll Comics: Led Zepplin: GRAPHIC NOVEL
Writer: Spike Steffenhagen, Jay Allen Sanford
Pencils Scott Pentzer, David Neer, Marshall Ross, Francois Escalmel, Blackwell
Cover Artist(s): cover: Steve Bryant

The Led Zeppelin saga is one of the wildest in rock history, and this graphic novel pulls no punches in dramatizing the backstage, behind-the-scenes story. From their early days as the New Yardbirds on through their rise to superstardom (and controversy), all five issues of the original Rock 'N' Roll Comics series are collected in one rockin' volume, with art by Scott Pentzer (Razor), Marshall Ross (Deepest Dimension), David Neer (Sports Superstars), Francois Escalmel (Frank Zappa: Viva La Bizarre), and others. The collection also includes update material, bringing the saga up to 2010.

Insane Jane: Avenging Star #1
Writer: Darren G. Davis & Zach Hunchar
Pencils: GMB
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers: GMB

Comic's most crazed champion is back! Trapped in a "Hospital for the Mentally Unhinged" our loony lion-heart must fight for her freedom and survival. With the help of her trusty new side-kick, the forces of evil are on the run. Or, maybe she's just imagining this. Either way, Jane's back and she's crazier than ever! Look for this exciting sequel to hit stands this August.

Female Force: Carla Bruni
Writer: David McIntee
Pencils: Heath Foley
Cover Artist(s): cover: Juanmar Studios

The best known woman in France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is an Italian heiress who is one of the most famous and self-assured women in Europe. Having been one of the most famous supermodels of the 1990s, she has been driven by determination and by the music in her blood to become successful in many walks of life. Learn how the heiress and artist has risen to become the best known First Lady of France since Josephine.

FAME: Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson FLIP Graphic novel
Writer: Kimberly Sherman
Pencils: Warren Martineck & Nathaniel Ooten
Cover Artist(s): 1 covers: JuanMar Studios

You have seen Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart together on screen but now you can get both of their biographies in this special edition of the sold out FAME series. This issue will feature bonus material not seen before!

Female Force: Best Sellers: GRAPHIC NOVEL
Writer: Various
Pencils: Various
Cover Artist(s): cover: Azim

See the collected life stories of JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice & Tony Morrison in this broad examination of strong women that have made a difference in today literature. The "Female Force" series was recently featured on "Live with Regis and Kelly", CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, and in People magazine, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of other media outlets.

Tony & Cleo #2
Writer: Kenton Daniel & Ken Cottingham
Pencils: DaFu Yu
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers: Dafu and Luke Roman

Through the foam of time, the Ides of March make their intentions known and reach out to guide the hand of their murderous instrument. A heartless killer reveals his own motives as well as a few lingering doubts, while, from the shadows, a loving mother offers encouragement and lays down the final challenge to claim Cleo's head. Meanwhile, Tony and Cleo arrive in Alexandria, Egypt to procure an ancient conduit of good for the coming battle against an ancient evil.

Steve Harvey Presents: The Adventures of Roopster Roux: GRAPHIC NOVEL
Writer: Ryan Burton
Pencils: Erik Thompson
Cover Artist(s): cover: Erik Thompson

Finals are tough, but they're even tougher when your best friend and sister have been mind controlled by the most sinister villain in the city! And that's exactly the situation Roopster Roux finds himself in his latest escapade. He'll have to use all of his wits, book smarts, and his trusty Roux Ripper to overcome his greatest and most dangerous adventure yet.