Head Smash Graphic Novel to Get a Sneak Peak at Motor City Comic Con, Debut at SDCC 2013

Press Release:

Head Smash is coming to Detroit

The Biggest Graphic Novel release of 2013 will make a stop in Detroit May 17 – 19

NEW YORK, May 16, 2013  – The Vladar Company is coming to Detroit’s Motor City Comic Con to promote the highly anticipated graphic novel HEAD SMASH, created by Vlad Yudin . Head Smash is slated for a July 31st release and is already being called – “The biggest graphic novel release of 2013.” The cover is created by a renowned comics artist and illustrator Tim Bradstreet (BLADE, THE PUNISHER, TRUE BLOOD). As the winner of multiple Eisner awards for Best Cover Artist, Bradstreet has created over 70 classic covers, including the 2006 Iron Maiden album cover ”A Matter of Life and Death.”

In collaboration with Arcana Comics, HEAD SMASH is a sci-fi, thriller, action story set in a fantasy filled, lurid city of Ares and centers on an orphan named ‘Smash’ who finds a safe haven with a brutal syndicate – The Horde. The thrilling graphic novel shares the ultimate story of betrayal, love, and loyalty.

Detroit Fans will be treated to an exclusive sneak peak of HEAD SMASH at this year’s Motor City Comic Con on May 17th – 19th at Suburban Collection Showplace.
Vlad Yudin and his partner Edwin Mejia will be present at the venue and host a panel on Saturday at 3pm. The final debut of the novel will be at this year’s San Diego Comic Con International 2013 (July 17-21).

About The Vladar Company:
Yudin, who founded The Vladar Company in 2008 along with partner Edwin Mejia , directed, produced and penned the script for LAST DAY OF SUMMER (2009), starring DJ Qualls (Hustle & Flow) and actress Nikki Reed (Twilight). The Vladar Company is a premiere media and entertainment company, that caters to the market’s growing need for entertainment content across multiple platforms and focuses on developing, financing and packaging a library of intellectual properties with its producing partners at leading Hollywood production studios. The company is becoming a leading producer of many genres and multiple mediums in domestic and international markets (www.VLADAR.com).

About Arcana
Arcana, founded by Sean Patrick O’Reilly in 2004, owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, with over 200 original intellectual properties, 300 graphic novels, thousands of comic issues and an ever-growing character list. Arcana has begun to adapt this library into live action feature films, animated features and episodic television series. Taking a transmedia approach to brand building and the development of intellectual properties, Arcana publishes graphic novels for North America in print, and now digitally as well. Arcana has been published and distributed in dozens different countries and translated into just as many languages across the globe.

Fans Have a Chance to Win a “BIG BANGtastic” Trip to SDCC 2013

Press Release:

THE BIG BANG THEORY BOLDLY GOES WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE WITH LIMITED EDITION CO-BRANDED THE BIG BANG THEORY/STAR TREK™ AND THE BIG BANG THEORY/DC COMICS MERCHANDISE

SUPPORTING THE NEW COLLECTIONS, WARNER BROS. TEAMS UP WITH HOT TOPIC TO OFFER THE BIG BANG THEORY ULTIMATE FAN GIVEAWAY IN THEIR SECOND ANNUAL COMIC-CON SWEEPSTAKES

Fans Will Have a Chance to Win a “BIG BANGtastic” Trip to Comic-Con International: San Diego And Other Great Prizes, Including $500 Gift Cards from Hot Topic

Burbank, Calif. (May 14, 2013) – In a bold twist to bring The Big Bang Theory to a new frontier, Warner Bros. and CBS Consumer Products are launching an exclusive, limited edition co-branded collection of The Big Bang Theory/Star Trek merchandise for the first-time ever that includes Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj’s preferred version of “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard Spock” themed product, as well as t-shirts and Funko bobble-heads featuring characters in Starfleet uniforms. This new co-branded collection of merchandise will be available only at Hot Topic stores nationwide and HotTopic.com from now until July. Hot Topic will also be the exclusive home to a new, limited edition The Big Bang Theory/DC Comics t-shirt, featuring Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj in their favorite DC Comics Super Hero costumes.

In support of these exciting new collections, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution have teamed up with Hot Topic to celebrate The Big Bang Theory airing 5 Nights a Week (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings) in off-network syndication. The partnership offers a second annual sweepstakes inviting fans to enter the “Ultimate Fan Giveaway” for an opportunity to attend the biggest pop culture convention in the world – the legendary Comic-Con in San Diego. Fans will also have the chance to win many great prizes, including the special edition DC Comics t-shirt and $500 Hot Topic gift cards. This year’s partnership is offering an even bigger bang with a larger collection of exclusive Big Bang merchandise at Hot Topic locations nationwide.

From Monday, May 20, through Friday, May 31, avid fans and pop culture junkies can enter the contest either by watching The Big Bang Theory every weeknight in syndication (in select markets) and identifying Sheldon’s special Hot Topic t-shirt online at www.BigBangContest.com or by visiting any Hot Topic store nationwide now through Sunday,
June 2, signing up to be a HT+1 rewards member and purchasing any The Big Bang Theory t-shirt, including the exclusive “Big Bang DC Comics” Comic-Con edition t-shirt only at Hot Topic. One lucky fan will receive an all-expenses paid, fun-filled getaway for two to Comic-Con in San Diego, CA – including two tickets to Comic-Con, round-trip airfare, three days/two nights hotel accommodations, ground transportation and special access to various events at the Warner Bros. booth.

“We’re excited to pay-it-forward to The Big Bang Theory’s legions of fans in this perfect alliance that brings together this pop-cult favorite with the iconic brands of Star Trek and DC Comics,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We had such a great fan reaction and experience with this promotion last year that we’re excited to team up with Hot Topic again to bring fans a bigger bang offering and more chances to win another out-of-this-world opportunity.”

“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Warner Bros. on such an exciting merchandise program,” said Cindy Levitt, VP and General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic. “We feel like we’ve created the perfect geek storm by combining The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek, DC Comics, Comic-Con and Hot Topic in this program and promotion, and we couldn’t be happier that we can make it happen for our customers.”

“We approach each and every initiative we endeavor from the perspective of giving back to the fans,” said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. ”We know that fans of The Big Bang Theory and fans of Star Trek are going to go mad for this co-branded merchandise. We set out to deliver a truly unique co-branded opportunity and are thrilled to have gone where no man – or woman – has gone before.”

As part of the promotion, Hot Topic stores will also feature an exciting array of merchandise from The Big Bang Theory spanning apparel, accessories, gift and novelties, and toys, including Funko bobbleheads of fan-favorites Leonard, Sheldon and Howard in Starfleet uniforms.

The more viewers tune in to The Big Bang Theory 5 Nights a Week on broadcast television (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings) and go to a Hot Topic retail store, the more chances they have to win.

In addition to the trip to Comic-Con, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Hot Topic are offering viewers in 47 markets the opportunity to also win local prize packages that include $500 gift cards from Hot Topic. Markets include:

WPCH – ATLANTA, GA
KTBC – AUSTIN, TX
KBAK – BAKERSFIELD, CA
WUTB – BALTIMORE, MD
WTTO – BIRMINGHAM, AL
WCCB – CHARLOTTE, NC
WFLD – CHICAGO, IL
WSTR – CINCINNATI, OH
WACH – COLUMBIA, SC
KDFW – DALLAS, TX
KDVR – DENVER, CO
WKBD – DETROIT, MI
KFOX – EL PASO, TX
KMPH – FRESNO, CA
WWMT – GRAND RAPIDS, MI
WXLV – GREENSBORO, NC
WHNS – GREENVILLE, SC
WTIC – HARTFORD, CT
KHON – HONOLULU, HI
WTTV – INDIANAPOLIS, IN
WJXT – JACKSONVILLE, FL
WBXX – KNOXVILLE, TN
KVMY – LAS VEGAS, NV
KTTV – LOS ANGELES, CA
WBFS – MIAMI, FL
WDJT – MILWAUKEE, WI
WFTC – MINNEAPOLIS, MN
WNAB – NASHVILLE, TN
WTVZ – NORFOLK, VA
KOKH – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
WOFL – ORLANDO, FL
WPHL – PHILADELPHIA, PA
KUTP – PHOENIX, AZ
WPGH – PITTSBURGH, PA
WPFO – PORTLAND, ME
WSJP – PUERTO RICO
WLFL – RALEIGH, NC
WFXR – ROANOKE, VA
KABB – SAN ANTONIO, TX
KICU – SAN FRANCISCO, CA
KCPQ – SEATTLE, WA
WCWW – SOUTH BEND, IN
KPLR – ST. LOUIS, MO
WMOR – TAMPA, FL
KQCW – TULSA, OK
WTTG – WASHINGTON, DC

About THE BIG BANG THEORY: Comedy has Expanded to 5 Nights a Week (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings)! The Big Bang Theory is the story of two brainy best friends who could tell you anything you want to know about quantum physics – but when it comes to dealing with everyday life here on Earth, they’re lost in the cosmos. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) are brilliant physicists – wizards in the laboratory, but socially inept outside of it. Enter their beautiful, free-spirited neighbor, Penny (Kaley Cuoco), who aims to teach them a thing or two about life. While Leonard spends his days looking for love, Sheldon is quite content video-chatting with platonic partner Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) or playing Star Trek 3D chess with their ever-expanding universe of friends, including fellow Caltech scientists Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Howard’s new wife, the adorable microbiologist Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). www.BigBangWeeknights.com

Created by Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg), who also serve as executive producers along with showrunner Steven Molaro (The Class), The Big Bang Theory stars Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons (The Muppet Movie), Kaley Cuoco (Hop), Simon Helberg (A Serious Man), Kunal Nayyar (Ice Age: Continental Drift), Mayim Bialik (Blossom) and Melissa Rauch (True Blood). The Emmy®-nominated series is from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television.

THE BIG BANG THEORY and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
(s12)

About STAR TREK: With an over 45-year history and more than 700 hours of content from six television series and twelve movies, Star Trek is an entertainment and pop culture icon across the world. With its visionary philosophy and thrill for adventure, the Star Trek universe only continues to broaden into new territories. Star Trek is licensed by CBS Consumer Products.

™ & ©2013 CBS Studios Inc. STAR TREK and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About Hot Topic
Hot Topic is a mall- and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious and expressive teens for more than 20 years. Hot Topic offers music and pop culture junkies band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories. Hot Topic operates 621 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic) and Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic).

About CBS Consumer Products
CBS Consumer Products manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from CBS, CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution, as well as from the company’s extensive library of titles, Showtime and CBS Films. Additionally, the group oversees online sales of programming merchandise. For more information, visit www.cbsconsumerproducts.com.

Scene on the Web Weekly: May 6-12, 2013

MegaCon 2014 makes their first guest announcements, Geoff Johns hints at SDCC media announcements for DC, and Free Comic Book Day reports come in. All that and more in this week’s Scene on the Web!

Scene on the Web Weekly: May 6-12, 2013

Storified by Convention Scene· Thu, May 09 2013 06:56:48

Steam Engines of Oz Kickstarter Incentives Include an Afternoon in the Arcana Booth at SDCC 2013

Press Release:

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ Roll Through Kickstarter

Arcana Studio suspends successful ongoing series to distribute next arc in “The Steam Engines of Oz” through Kickstarter.

(Los Angeles, California  May 6, 2013)  Arcana Studio has launched a revolutionary new campaign through KickStarter, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. The Vancouver-based studio is actually suspending its traditional distribution of the title, despite its very successful pre-orders and its incredibly well-received Free Comic Book Day performance, to distribute the next arc through Kickstarter instead.

“After witnessing for myself the huge number of people who turned out on Free Comic Book Day for our project,” says Arcana founder Sean Patrick O’Reilly, “we realized that there was a strong desire for this project, even more than our already great pre-orders had indicated, so we immediately rethought how we were going to get it into people’s hands.  Kickstarter seemed to be the perfect outlet for that.”

Created by O’Reilly (“Clockwork Girl”, “Pixies”) and Erik W Hendrix (“Deadly Harvest”, “The Evil Tree”), with art from Yannis Roumboulias (“Deadly Harvest”) and colors from Chandran (“Intrinsic”), “The Steam Engines of Oz” follows young Victoria Wright, who works beneath the Emerald City, making sure the vast machines below the city keep running. She finds out, however, that her actions, which seem so small, actually have much larger implications.  Along the way, we find out what happened to some of the beloved characters from “The Wizard of Oz” and other stories set in the Land of Oz, as well as meeting new characters.

“We’re crafting the story in such a way that fans of the issues will receive the Kickstarter novel and continue their journey or new fans can jump on directly with the Kickstarter content,” says co-creator Hendrix.  “Seeing how excited people were for our book on Free Comic Book Day, SteamPunk events, and other, traditionally non-comic locations, we knew there had to be a different way to get our book out there to people who already knew about it, and others who just don’t have access to a local store.”

The story that begins in the Free Comic Book Day issue will continue through the already solicited issues 1-3, but then the journey will pick up in the Kickstarter Original Graphic Novel, available exclusively first to those who support and back the project through Arcana’s Kickstarter campaign.

O’Reilly and Hendrix reach out to fans of comic books, steam punk or the wonderful world of Oz, “We could have easily continued this in a more traditional way in print, because the sales were certainly there to justify it, but we wanted to really do it in a new and exciting way, a way that allows us to place it directly in the hands of the people who want it most.”
Arcana is offering a wide variety of awards to backers ranging from digital downloads of the comic to original art from the artist or even space at the Arcana booth at San Diego Comic Con.   Please visit http://kck.st/17HUzbK for all the details and to support Arcana’s efforts and to learn more about Arcana Studio, like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ArcanaStudios.

About Arcana – Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, with over 250 original intellectual properties, hundreds of graphic novels and a treasure trove of thousands of characters. Arcana’s high quality branded entertainment is filled with characters and stories that transcend gender age, cultural and geographic boundaries.  Arcana is also producing feature films such as The Clockwork Girl and Pixies and episodic television series including Kagagi: The Raven. Taking a transmedia approach to brand building and intellectual properties, Arcana’s stories can live successfully on traditional and new media platforms. Arcana Studio Inc. remains independent of major entertainment studio affiliation.  For more information, please visit www.arcana.com.

Archaia to Offer Limited Editions of Rubicon at SDCC 2013 and NYCC 2013

Press Release:

ARCHAIA AND METEOR ANNOUNCE ‘RUBICON’ ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

Akira Kurosawa’s ‘The Seven Samurai’ is reimagined through the lens of the Afghanistan War in this timely story featuring Navy SEAL operators

Los Angeles, CA (April 16, 2013) – Award-winning comic and game publishers Archaia Entertainment and Meteor Entertainment are proud to announce Rubicon, a hardcover, original graphic novel that reimagines one of the greatest movie epics of all time: The Seven Samurai. Developed as an homage to Akira Kurosawa’s peerless masterpiece, Rubicon is the story of a paramilitary SEAL team who defend a remote mountain farming village in Afghanistan from the torment of marauding Taliban. Rubicon blends timely themes of fate, hope, and courage with relentless action into a triumphant tale of honor won with loyalty and death. This powerfully realized book is written by New York Times best-selling graphic novel author and Meteor Entertainment (HAWKEN) president Mark Long (The Silence of Our Friends), from an idea by Oscar®-winning writer/director Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), and from a story by SEAL Team VI and Red Cell veteran, Dan Capel. It is masterfully composed and illustrated by newcomer Mario Stilla, whose art projects kinetic force and intense emotion. In addition, the book features a Foreword by New York Times best-selling author and the original Commanding Officer of Seal Team VI, Richard Marcinko (Rogue Warrior).

“Rubicon is a project of pure passion by the four of us—from Chris’ brilliant idea to approach the Afghan war from a character-driven classic, to Dan’s invaluable insights into the emotions and ethos of tier-one operators, and to Mario’s classically rendered, Kurosawa-esque frames,” described Long. “For me, Rubicon mixes two great passions: to become an uncompromising art-house publisher of free-to-play games and transmedia; and to personally contribute creatively to that goal.”

“We are excited about this timely and relevant story about a mission that could have happened—and maybe did,” related Archaia President & COO Jack Cummins. “This book will appeal to fans of Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker, military gamers, military buffs, past and current members of the military, as well as the public interested in a behind-the-scenes look at how our front-line troops live and die together on behalf of others.”

The Rubicon hardcover graphic novel will also come packed with a pouch envelope containing exclusive artifacts and creative collateral from the world of Rubicon, including a reproduction of the tactical map the team uses, commendations and citations, and private correspondence.

“We weren’t interested in merely spouting generic stats and glossary terms,” explained Joe LeFavi of Quixotic Transmedia, who facilitated the Rubicon deal for Archaia and served as executive editor on the book. “We wanted to dig through the pockets of the soldiers right there in the action, so that you could better understand and appreciate their motivations from a unique and personal place.”

A very special, slipcased limited edition is available for purchase only on Archaia’s webstore (store.archaia.com) and Meteor’s HAWKEN website (playhawken.com/#universe), where collectors receive an additional $10 in Meteor Credits with purchase.

Limited editions will also be available at the Archaia booth at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif. (July 10-14) and New York Comic Con in New York, N.Y. (October 10-13), while supplies last.

Rubicon ($24.95, hardcover, 128 pages, full color, 6.625” x 10.25”) is available for pre-order now at your local comic book shop. To pre-order, provide your retailer with this Diamond Order Code: APR130799. To find your closest comic book shop, visit www.comicshoplocator.com. It is also available for pre-order through the Archaia webstore (store.archaia.com) and wherever books are sold (ISBN: 978-1-936393-97-8).

Archaia and Meteor previously collaborated on the original graphic novel HAWKEN: GENESIS, which is based on Meteor’s free-to-play, online video game, HAWKEN. It is available now in comic book shops and wherever books are sold.

About Archaia Entertainment, LLC

Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Rust, Cow Boy, Cursed Pirate Girl, Gunnerkrigg Court, and Artesia. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand and such beloved tales as The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including The Killer, Sergio Toppi’s Sharaz-De, and The Secret History.

In 2012, Archaia was honored with six Harvey Award nominations, two Harvey Awards, six Eisner nominations, and three Eisner Awards (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand won for Best Graphic Album–New, Best Penciller/Inker, and Best Publication Design). Also in 2012, Archaia earned both Gold and Silver awards from ForeWord Reviews. Archaia was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations and two Eisner Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology.

In addition to its partnership with The Jim Henson Company, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as Bleedout and HAWKEN (video games), Immortals and Planet of the Apes (film), and Space: 1999 (television).

Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation within the creator community for producing meaningful, transformative content, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels.

About Meteor Entertainment™
Based in Seattle, Meteor Entertainment is focused on successfully publishing free-to-play games globally, with an emphasis on compelling content and setting the standard for customer service and community engagement. Meteor Entertainment’s first title, HAWKEN, was developed by Adhesive Games. Download HAWKEN and play it for free at www.playhawken.com.

Scene on the Web Weekly: April 29 – May 5, 2013

Mattel and NECA preview some SDCC exclusives, we get a look at the Pacific Rim footage from WonderCon, Some geeky girls get fed up and angry, and lots more.

Scene on the Web Weekly: April 29 – May 5, 2013

Storified by Convention Scene· Wed, May 01 2013 05:51:17

SDCC 2013 Adds 13 More Including Wendy and Richard Pini, J.H. Williams, Etc.

Via Toucan: 

13 More Guests Added to the Comic-Con Line-up!

Comic-Con 2013 is less than three short months away, and 13 more great special guests have been added to the already-stellar line-up! Part of this group highlights some of our anniversary celebrations, including the 35th anniversary of Elfquest, the 25th anniversary of Sandman, and the 20th anniversary of Milestone Media.

You can’t celebrate any anniversary of Elfquest without, or course,Wendy and Richard Pini. One of the first self-publishers, the Pinis began their epic tale in 1978, it and quickly grew in popularity, spawning numerous collections, prose novels, and an ongoing and vibrant fan community. Wendy is also known for her work on a series of Beauty and the Beast graphic novels (based on the original TV series starring Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton). More recently, Wendy completed a reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s Masque of the Red Death.

Neil Gaiman’s Sandman celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a new series and an appearance by Gaiman at Comic-Con. Award-winning artist J.H. Williams III is the artist on that new series. Famous for his recent run onBatwoman (and nominated once again, as Best Cover Artist in this year’s Eisner Awards), Williams is also known forPromethea and Chase. And speaking of covers, artist/filmmaker Dave McKean comes to Comic-Con to help celebrate Dream’s 25th. McKean’s evocative covers were an important part of Sandman’s success and his art graced each issue of the original series. Artist Sam Kieth, who illustrated the first five issues of Sandman when it debuted in 1988, is also known for his work on his own creations, The Maxx and Zero Girl, plus a run of memorable Batman tales at DC. (Sam Kieth’s appearance is co-sponsored by IDW Publishing.)

The 20th anniversary of Milestone Media is another of our celebrations this year, and co-founders Denys Cowan (The Question, Batman, Hardware), Derek T. Dingle, and Michael Davis join previously announced guest Charlotte Fullerton (the widow of Milestone co-founder Dwayne McDuffie) as special guests. Milestone focused on minorities in comics—as both creators and characters—forging a fan-favorite universe. One of their titles, Static Shock, went on to become an animated hit on television.

Other added special guests include:

Ellen Forney, the Eisner Award-nominated (for Best Reality-Based Work) writer/artist of Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo & Me. Forney’s other work includes I Love Led Zeppelin and Monkey Food.

Russ Heath, the legendary artist best known for his work on war titles for DC Comics, such as The Haunted Tank. Heath also did the memorable 1960s series Sea Devils. He is a member of the Will Eisner Hall of Fame.

Georges Jeanty, the artist behind the popular Dark Horse series Joss Whedon’s Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. Jeanty has drawn both Season 8 and Season 9 of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling series.

Rep. John Lewis from Georgia’s 5th District, who comes to Comic-Con with his new graphic novel, MARCH, co-written by Andrew Advin and drawn by Nate Powell. The book chronicles his years in the Civil Rights movement. (Rep. Lewis’s appearance is courtesy Top Shelf Productions.)

Fred Perry, the writer/artist behind the popular Gold Digger series published by Antarctic Press. Perry has produced over 5,000 pages in 22 years since the series began, with a consecutive run of over 200 issues of his American manga series.

For a complete list of special guests appearing at Comic-Con International 2013, please click here.

Dark Horse Announces Powers Collectibles, Will Debut Prototypes at SDCC 2013

Press Release:

DARK HORSE DELUXE PROUDLY ANNOUNCES A NEW LINE OF COLLECTIBLES BASED ON BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS AND MICHAEL AVON OEMING’S POWERS!

APRIL 27, CHICAGO, IL–Dark Horse Deluxe, an imprint of Dark Horse Comics, has licensed rights to create figures based on Powers, a long-running creator-owned series of comics and graphic novels by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming.

Projects include a limited-edition statue of Retro Girl, a central figure in the first Powers story arc, and a boxed set of vinyl figures of the series’ ongoing principal characters.

Combining the genres of superhero fantasy, crime noir, and police procedural, Powers follows the lives and cases of two homicide detectives, Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, assigned to investigate cases involving people with superhuman abilities, who are referred to as “powers.”

“We have been very particular about merchandising Powers over the years, because I wanted to make sure it was the highest-quality merchandise we could offer,” said Brian Michael Bendis. “I am a giant fan of Dark Horse and the care they give their merchandising. I am very excited about this partnership.”

“We feel that Powers is one of the best graphic-story treatments of the modern era,” Dark Horse Product Development Vice President David Scroggy remarked. “We are delighted to bring these characters forward. Brian Bendis is a master of story construction and dialogue, making him one of today’s most widely read comics writers, and Michael Oeming’s unique art style is one of the most individual in the field. Capturing their creative vision is a challenge we appreciate, and we couldn’t be more excited to work directly with these two talents in making that happen.”

The Retro Girl statue will be sculpted by Tony Cipriano, who has created many popular superhero-themed collectible statues for a variety of companies. Michael Avon Oeming, working in concert with Bendis and Dark Horse, created special art for the statue, which will be used as control art during sculpting. The statue will capture the stylized nature of the graphic art, while anchoring the figure in realism.

“To see your work translated into sculpture is always scary, but I’m very excited to be working with the amazing Tony,” Oeming stated.

Dark Horse also plans a boxed set of four-to-five-inch vinyl figures, which will include protagonists Walker and Pilgrim as centerpieces of the ensemble.

Both projects are slated for release in the fourth quarter of 2013. The prototypes will be shown to the trade and the public for the first time as part of the product display in the Dark Horse booth at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

Retail prices and edition sizes are to be determined.

For more information, check out design sketches and an exclusive interview with Brian Michael Bendis & Mike Oeming on Nerdist News!

Powers is © Jinxworld, Inc. Dark Horse Deluxe, a division of Dark Horse Comics, produces high-quality collectible merchandise.

Red Giant Partnering with Keenspot at SDCC 2013

Press Release:

Red Giant Entertainment Expands Presence at San Diego Comic-Con 2013

Red Giant Joins Digital Distributor Keenspot at Nation’s Largest Comics and Pop Culture Event

ORLANDO, FL–(Marketwired – Apr 22, 2013) – Red Giant Entertainment Inc. (OTCQB: REDG), an innovative Intellectual Property company specializing in high quality characters and content for use in a variety of media and entertainment, is pleased to announce that they will be participating in San Diego Comic-Con again, at a larger and more prominent booth in association with strategic partner Keenspot, a Comic-Con exhibitor since 2001.

“This year we will have an exceptional presence at Comic-Con, and showcase many of our creators and projects, such as our upcoming movie, LAST BLOOD,” explained Red Giant Entertainment CEO Benny Powell. “San Diego Comic-Con is an important event for us, and we will be actively engaged in discussions with Hollywood decision makers bringing even more of the Red Giant Intellectual Property catalog to large and small screens, along with other key players in various other media platforms. In fact, it was at this very convention where we were approached by Lin Pictures’ Jon Silk, which led to the WAYWARD SONS deal.”

Founded in 1970 by a small group of comic fans, San Diego Comic-Con has grown to over 130,000 comic enthusiasts attending the show last year. This has now become the largest convention for the comic book, science fiction and fantasy industries in the United States. In 1976, a year before the release of the first STAR WARS film, George Lucas recognized the value of Comic-Con and sent reps to excite fans about the movie. It took the rest of Hollywood years to catch on, but now most studios set up shop at Comic-Con and virtually every superstar actor and director has made the trek to San Diego to promote their projects.

Comic-Con will be in the San Diego Convention Center again this year. Beginning with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 17 the show is then open daily that Thursday through Sunday, July 21. 2013. This is the 44th year for the convention, making it the longest continuously-run comics and pop culture show in the U.S.

“This is our fourth year at the show, and we believe that Comic-Con will continue to be a major catalyst for Red Giant,” added Powell. “We are well positioned with our catalog of over forty projects to take advantage of the opportunities at this convention.”

Red Giant is scheduled to be exhibiting with their strategic partner, Keenspot, at Booth #2635, directly between the Marvel and Image Comics booths. Numerous Red Giant creators will be appearing at the event, and on hand to sign books for their fans.

ABOUT RED GIANT ENTERTAINMENT INC.

Red Giant Entertainment Inc. (OTCQB: REDG) is a Florida-based corporation that specializes in Intellectual Property (IP) development for multiple media platforms and transmedia propagation. The cornerstone of this development is based around the more than three dozen online and print graphic novel properties in various stages of production as well as the cast of thousands of characters from those series. These properties have a readership that numbers in the millions globally. Some of these properties are actively in development into other media such as movies, video games, television, novels, toys, apparel, applications, etc. through either direct production or licensing agreements.

For further information visit www.RedGiantEntertainment.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including but not limited to statements containing the words “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “look forward”, “estimates” and similar expressions) should be considered to be forward-looking statements. Further, the safe harbor provisions of said Act may not apply to an issuer that issues penny stock. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, to include acquisition, production, marketing, distribution, competition with related patent, trademark and license issues involving contractual obligations and concessions. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and informational statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with all of the reports that the Company has previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial and other information about it.

Hallmark Announces Ornaments for SDCC, NYCC, and the D23 Expo 2013

NOTE: The artwork shown here is for the store version. The SDCC version will likely be a variant.

Press Release:

Hallmark Introduces 2013 Event-Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 27, 2013) — Hallmark continues its participation at the nation’s largest pop culture fan conventions with four Keepsake Ornaments exclusively developed for 2013 events.

Three ornament designs will be sold in limited quantities at Comic-Con International, to be held July 18-21 in San Diego, Calif., and at New York Comic Con, set for October 10-13 in New York City:

• Wrath of the Rancor™ – Created especially for event sales, this ornament captures Luke Skywalker’s struggle with the savage creature dwelling below Jabba the Hutt’s palace as seen in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™.
• U.S.S. Kelvin™ – As featured in the 2009 Star Trek movie, this Federation starship exclusive is a “battle-scarred” variant of the same Keepsake Ornament available starting in July in Hallmark Gold Crown® stores.
• Man of Steel – Inspired by this summer’s big-screen adventure of the same name, Superman is the subject of this event-exclusive Keepsake Ornament. Details and images of this ornament will be announced later this year.

At the D23 Expo 2013, slated for Aug. 9-11 in Anaheim, Calif., Hallmark will offer limited quantities of one design:

• Cinderella’s Castle – Featuring battery-operated light and sound, this exclusive Keepsake Ornament will boast a different look from the ornament available starting in July in Hallmark Gold Crown stores.

More information about Hallmark’s plans for these fan events will be announced closer to the respective dates.

Starting April 15, the 2013 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Dream Book showing this year’s entire line of Keepsake Ornaments will be available in Hallmark Gold Crown® stores and online at Hallmark.com.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what’s in their hearts and spend time together – a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 39,000 retail outlets in the United States, including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable’s top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. This privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo., and is led by the third generation of the founding Hall family. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details.

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