Li'l Depressed Boy Begins in February from Image Comics

BETWEEN A (LI'L DEPRESSED) BOY AND A GIRL

 

Image Comics collects cult favorite web series this February

 

He found a home first on the Internet. Now, Li'l Depressed Boy comes to print with LI'L DEPRESSED BOY #1, out this February from Image Comics.

LI'L DEPRESSED BOY follows the adventures of a ragdoll as he goes about his ordinary life. In the first issue, Li'l Depressed Boy meets girl, with all the romantic and stylish lovelorn charm that characterizes movies such as (500) Days of Summer.

The cult favorite web series was created in 2005 by S. Steven Struble, a comic colorist (CHEW, Kick Drum Comix) and nationally competing slam poet, who continues to write the series. Early Li'l Depressed Boy strips were drawn by comics luminaries such as Sam Keith (THE MAXX), Jamie McKelvie (PHONOGRAM), Jim Mahfood (MIXTAPE), and more. Sina Grace took over art duties on the acclaimed web comic in 2008. His illustrations can be seen in various publications, most recently in Among the Ghosts, a young adult novel written by Amber Benson (Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

"The Li'l Depressed Boy comes from so many personal experiences, which I think correlates to why people relate to the story," says Struble. "We've all been that quiet person who can barely muster a smile. With Sina as the regular artist and our first story arc together under the Image 'I,' it's a dream come true."

Adds Grace, "When I started drawing the Li'l Depressed Boy, I was so excited to be collaborating with someone who wanted to tackle comics the same way I did: with earnestness, fun, and a touch of self-deprecation. After all these years, I'm happy to say that the work we are presenting with Image Comics maintains those core values."

LI'L DEPRESSED BOY #1 (diamond code), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores February 9, 2011. Meet the Li'l Depressed Boy by visiting www.lildepressedboy.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 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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Morning Glories #7 Begins New Story Arc

WORTH EVERY PENNY

 

Image Comics and Shadowline thank MORNING GLORIES fans with specially priced trade and price drop

 

The fans have spoken, making MORNING GLORIES a bestseller! Each issue of the series has been a sellout, and to thank fans, Shadowline and Image Comics are dropping the cover price from $3.50 to $2.99 with issue #7!

For those of you who may have missed an issue of the hit series -- written by Nick Spencer (FORGETLESS, EXISTENCE, SHUDDERTOWN) and drawn by Joe Eisma (EXISTENCE) with covers by Rodin Esquejo -- Image is also releasing the first trade for the special introductory price of $9.99! The trade collects the first six issues of the hottest series of the year and will be in stores February 16, 2011, one week before MORNING GLORIES #7.

"Issue 7 starts a new story arc, making it the perfect jumping-on point for new fans," says Spencer. "The combination of the specially priced trade and the lower price for issues is a boon, both for myself and the fans. I get to keep telling an electrifying story while fans get to enjoy all the thrills at a more affordable price!"

Adds Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino, "We wanted to thank the dedicated fans of MORNING GLORIES for all their support. We wouldn't be able to drop the price of the comic if they hadn't embraced the series so whole-heartedly. So, thank you, and stay tuned for more twists as the Glories take on the Academy!"

Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country. But behind its hallowed doors, something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers in a place where nothing is what it seems to be!

MORNING GLORIES VOL. 1: FOR A BETTER FUTURE TP (DEC100470), a 192-page full-color graphic novel for the special introductory price of $9.99, will be in stores February 16, 2011. MORNING GLORIES #7 (DEC100486), a 32-page full-color comic for the new low price of $2.99, will be in stores February 23, 2011.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Leroy Douresseaux on After Dark #2

AFTER DARK #2

RADICAL PUBLISHING
CREATORS: Antoine Fuqua and Wesley Snipes
WRITER: Peter Milligan
ARTIST: Leonardo Manco
PAINTS: Kinsun Loh, Jerry Choo, Sansan Saw
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
56pp, Color, $4.99

After Dark is a Radical Publishing comic book series created by director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and actor Wesley Snipes (Blade). This science fiction series is actually written by Peter Milligan (Hellblazer).

After Dark is set in the future on an Earth that exists in a state of near-perpetual darkness. Civilization is mostly confined to domed cities, with Solar City being the most populated. Some of the populace lives in a drug-addled stupor; others riot either because they have a cause or because they are bored. The rulers of Solar City decide that Angel, a messianic figure who hasn’t been seen in decades, can tame the populace. They enlist Omar, a Bedouin drifter, to guide a rag-tag team composed of specialists and known criminals into the wilds outside the city to find Angel.

After Dark #2 opens in the disastrous aftermath of Omar’s mission to save the ill Trooper Jones. Now, the Bedouin is left in the darkness with Ana, a femme fatale, and the gang brawler, “Monster” Monclare. The trio eventually rejoins the mission and the group resumes the trip to Angel’s last known location, Archipelago City, where they find more than they expected.

This second issue of After Dark is a much better read than the first. For one thing, Peter Milligan does something at which he is immensely good: write character drama for science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and After Dark is a blend of all three. Getting to know these characters makes the story a much better read, and, combined with the interesting plot twists and quirks, the characters make After Dark that much more attractive. As usual, anything drawn by Leonardo Manco is good graphical storytelling, and the paints by the team of Kinsun Loh, Jerry Choo, Sansan Saw bring out Manco’s best artistic traits.

Fans of post-apocalyptic science fiction comic books and Peter Milligan’s work will want to try After Dark.

B+

Angelina Jolie the Latest Subject of "Female Force"

BLUEWATER TACKLES THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF ANGELINA JOLIE

 

Movie star. Defender of human rights. Tireless mother. Tabloid fodder. All of these describe Angelina Jolie. Yet not one of them paints a complete picture of this talented and often controversial actress.

Independent comics company Bluewater Productions will do its part to fill in the blanks surrounding Jolie's life when the publisher debuts its latest biography comic this January, Female Force: Angelina Jolie.

The 32-page comic, written by Brent Sprecher with pencils by Nuno Nobre, will be available in comic shops and from online retailers such as Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. The comic will retail for $3.99.

Female Force offers a broad examination of strong women in our society. Past issues include Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin, Oprah and Hillary Clinton.

Writer Sprecher says that even long-time fans of Jolie's work will be surprised at what they learn about the talented actress. “I learned a great deal about her struggles and triumphs as an award-winning actress, mother and humanitarian,” Sprecher said. “Often painted as an edgy, slightly dangerous movie star, what is often not revealed about Ms. Jolie is her tireless commitment to charity work and her dedication to the plight of refugees around the world as a Goodwill Ambassador with the United Nations.”

Bluewater Productions is no stranger to biography comics. The company, which publishes the Political Power, Fame and Female Force series of biography comics, has made headlines for its features on such personalities as Lady Gaga, Sarah Palin, Justin Bieber and J.K. Rowling. The company plans to release future comics on Danica Patrick, Beyonce, Bill O'Reilly and Betty White.

Bluewater president and founder Darren G. Davis says that he has a simple goal with his company's bio comics: introduce a new generation of readers to the wonders of sequential storytelling.

“We're focusing our biography titles on the most intriguing celebrities, world leaders and artists,” Davis said. “This is by design. We want to bring new fans to comics. One way to do this is to publish biographies on celebrities that already have strong and dedicated fan bases.”

For his part, Sprecher hopes that his contribution to the Female Force lineup will shed some new light on an often misunderstood actress.

“My hope is that this biography, in some small way, inspires others to follow Angelina Jolie's example and make helping those in need a part of their daily lives,” Sprecher said.

Bluewater Productions is a leading independent publisher of comics. In addition to its biography comics, the company publishes a full line of fiction stories, everything from superhero tales to young adult comics to mysteries and science fiction.

For more information about Bluewater Productions, visit its Web site at 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.

The Time is Right for Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Fills a Need for Indy Comic Fans, Creators

The new Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty was reading a comic book review when he had an idea. There are countless places independent comic book readers can see news and reviews. Why not offer a source for quality stories from indy comic book creators?

The result was Indie Comics Magazine. The first issue is scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and is available only through Previews. Each issue will feature eight full stories from eight different creators, said Beatty.

"The steady growth of independent comic book publishing since the 1960's underground movement, the 1980's black and white explosion and the 2000's online revolution has led to a staggering number of titles," he explained. "Quality work often never reaches a wide audience. There are so many titles competing for our attention many brilliant creators are simply overlooked."

That is why Beatty, who colors and letters comics and is a Xeric grant winning author and illustrator, brought up the possibility of a monthly indie publication with his many friends in the industry. Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators. Each issue will feature eight full stories from eight different creators.

"They couldn't believe no one had thought of it before," he laughed. "Readers can use our magazine as presented, to enjoy the range of talented writers and artists in it, but they can go one step further and visit their favorites online to learn more about what they do and, maybe, buy some of their work."

Short biographies and contact information are included with the done-in-one stories so readers can easily seek out more from their favorites.

Advancing technology is bringing with it an onslaught of entertainment choices, said Beatty. "It can be overwhelming. We can help readers cut through the noise and find indie comic creators who are definitely worth a second look."

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres in January, 2011's Previews. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/.

-------------------

Skullkickers: More Sell-Outs and Reprints

COMPOUND SKULL FRACTURE

Like first two issues, SKULLKICKERS #3 sells out at distribution level

The main characters of SKULLKICKERS can't be put down, and readers can't put the book down either -- the third issue of the riotous action-comedy series has already sold out at the distribution level!

Image Comics has ordered a second printing of Skullkickers' side-splitting third issue. It will be in stores alongside the fourth issue on December 22, 2010.

Written by Jim Zubkavich (POPGUN, Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki) and illustrated by the talented team of Edwin Huang on interiors and Misty Coats on colors, SKULLKICKERS plays fantasy tropes to the hilt with all the black-hearted comedy and bombastic action any comics fan could want.

"Everyone on the Skullkickers creative team is working hard," says Zubkavich, "so getting this kind of back-to-press boost three times in a row is incredibly gratifying. Please keep reading and enjoying because we intend to keep delivering frantic fantasy fun throughout the holidays!"

In SKULLKICKERS, two mercenaries are entangled in a high-class assassination plot, and nothing will stop them from getting paid. The third issue sees our heroes tripping the light fantastic with pilfered poison stew and undead antagonists aplenty. This one has something for everyone -- including a special recipe for Skullkickers Stew for comic culinary enthusiasts!

SKULLKICKERS #3 Second Printing (SEP108188D), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in December 22, 2010, the same day as SKULLKICKERS #4 (AUG108190).

Follow the Skullkickers blog at http://www.skullkickers.com/ for sneak peeks and more. You can download a free preview of SKULLKICKERS using the Image Comics app from comiXology.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Bluewater Publishes Danica Patrick Bio Comic Book in December

BLUEWATER REACHES TO NASCAR NATION WITH DANICA PATRICK COMIC

 

Bluewater Productions has already brought new readers to sequential storytelling with its Political Power, Female Force and Fame comic book series. Now the independent comics company is reaching out to the members of NASCAR nation with its latest comic: Fame: Danica Patrick.

Bluewater's latest biography comic traces Patrick's rise through the male-dominated ranks of auto racing. It also explores the fascination that the public has with Patrick.

Writer CW Cooke, who has also penned Bluewater's top-selling Taylor Swift biography comic, said that even the most devoted of fans will learn something new about Patrick after reading this book.

“We've all seen the pictures and heard the gossip about her,” Cooke said. “But digging into her story and learning about her really focused me on the fact that she's a real person and not just a pin-up model or a one-note person.”

Cooke hasn't created a white-washed version of Patrick's NASCAR performances, either. The comic covers the critics who say that Patrick hasn't had enough success on the track to deserve all the attention that she gets.

Fame: Danica Patrick will hit comic book shops and online retailers like Amazon in December. The 32-page comic will retail for $3.99.

Artist Valerio Giangiordano handled the art for Patrick's story. Cooke, who was thrilled when he received his sample pages, said that fans won't be disappointed in the job that Giangiordano turned in.

“I just can't wait until you get to see this,” Cooke said. “The art was knocked out of the park on this one. One word breathless”

Darren G. Davis, publisher and founder of Bluewater Productions, said that the company's biography comics, which have generated reams of coverage from mainstream media, have brought a new stream of readers to the world of comic-book storytelling.

Davis said he expects that to continue with the introduction of the Patrick comic.

“I don't know how many Danica Patrick fans are already into comics, but I hope that Fame: Danica Patrick will show NASCAR nation that reading comics can be extremely entertaining,” Davis said. “I'm proud that we are helping to increase the number of comic fans. We all know that the industry needs new readers to truly thrive.”

Bluewater's 1st sports icon to be transformed into a comic book is David Beckham which will be in stores October 13.

Bluewater Productions is one of the leading independent comics companies in the country. In addition to its line of biography comics, the company publishes a series of science-fiction, horror, superhero, young-adult and drama comics.

For more information about Bluewater, visit the company's Web site at 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.