Head Smash Graphic Novel to Get a Sneak Peak at Motor City Comic Con, Debut at SDCC 2013
May 17, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Michigan
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.
Steam Engines of Oz Kickstarter Incentives Include an Afternoon in the Arcana Booth at SDCC 2013
May 7, 2013 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Top Stories
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/
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.
NJ – Flee Signing
February 5, 2013 by Colin Solan
Filed under Comic Books, New Jersey, Signing and Appearance Profiles
Writer Raphael Moran and artist Ed Watson celebrate the release of their Arcana published FLEE series in trade paperback with a special signing at Dewey’s Comic City on Wednesday, February 20th from 7:00 till 9:00 pm! FLEE is an exciting sci-fi romp with just a touch of comic relief thrown in for good measure.
Dewey’s Comic City
13 Park Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Platinum Partners with Arcana and Freeplay Labs to Promote Cowboys & Aliens at SDCC 2011
July 20, 2011 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News, Gaming, Movies, Science Fiction and Fantasy
Press Release:
“COWBOYS & ALIENS” PRODUCER PLATINUM STUDIOS PARTNERS WITH ARCANA STUDIOS AND FREEPLAY LABS AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2011
Booth #2415 to Feature Exclusive Movie Merchandise, Prizes, Artist Signings, Interactive Games, and Electronic Books
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE PLATINUM STUDIOS COMIC-CON PAGE
LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – Jul 20, 2011) – Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTCBB: PDOS), an entertainment company that controls an international library of comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, will be attending Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA to promote its comic “Cowboys & Aliens.” The film adaption of the comic will have its red carpet world premiere in San Diego on July 23 and is being released by DreamWorks and Universal Pictures domestically on July 29.
Arcana Studios, an award winning comic book publisher and transmedia producer will split their booth, #2415, with Platinum Studios, where an array of giveaways, demos and special events are planned to promote Platinum Studios and “Cowboys & Aliens.” Academy Award Nominees Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby, two writers of the film “Cowboys & Aliens” and writers of Jon Favreau’s film “Iron Man” will be doing a signing at the booth on Thursday from 1:00-2:00 and Saturday from 1:30-2:30.
Platinum Studios has also teamed up with The Hollywood Reporter (www.thr.com) to give away thousands of their special Comic-Con International Edition magazine, guest edited by “Cowboys & Aliens” director Jon Favreau, which features interviews, pictures and behind-the-scenes looks at the development of the film.
Platinum Studios and FreePlay Labs, a new publisher focused on digitally distributed interactive entertainment, will have live demos of their “Cowboys & Aliens” iPad game for convention attendees to play with and view. FreePlay has brought the property to life with innovative, tuned gameplay and striking high-end visuals, in addition to having developed expansion packs to give the game long-term playability on iOS devices.
Platinum Studios is also joining with Orbit Media Group, LLC at the convention to unveil an exclusive first-look at “Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids,” the interactive children’s application (for all Apple iOS and select Android OS devices) that introduces the storyline of how the kids of the Cowboys, Native Americans and Aliens meet, play and share while their parents are away battling for the future of the world. This ground-breaking application encourages reading, painting, and sharing (via social networks like Facebook and Twitter). Orbit Media Group, LLC will donate $0.25 of the purchase price of each “Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids” app sold to global charity partner Starlight Children’s Foundation.
The world premiere of “Cowboys & Aliens” will be held at the San Diego Civic Center on Saturday, July 23.
Arcana Announces SDCC 2011 Plans
June 24, 2011 by Brian Pate
Filed under California, Comic Books, Comic-Con International, Convention News
Via Arcana:
Arcana SDCC 2011 Plans
If you’re going to be in the San Diego area in July, most likely you’re there for San Diego Comic Con 2011. While you’re there, be sure to stop by booth 2415 to see what all of the excitement is about at Arcana Comics. We have some spectacular signings planned, SDCC Exclusives (a Kade Art Book and the SDCC Launch Edition of SideShows), and even an Arcana Comics Panel! Below is a run-down of what we’re up to.
EXCLUSIVES:
KADE ART BOOK: Kade, Arcana’s enigmatic warrior makes a special appearance this SDCC with an exclusive art book, featuring original work from some of the most talented artists in the industry! Tim Bradstreet’s unique style sets the tone with an original cover, while Tim Seeley, Brent Schoonover, Greg Horn, Kevin Mellon, Ashley Wood, Liam Sharp, Ben Templesmith, Greg Titus, and Whilce Portacio provide contributions to this amazing art book. It’s limited to 250 copies, so grab one while you can!
SIDESHOWS SDCC LAUNCH EDITION: SideShows, the next Arcana hit by Erik Hendrix & Michael Nelsen is still months away from official release, but you can see it here first! It’s 1950’s Las Vegas & the mob enlisted former circus attractions as their aces in the hole. These SideShows had a little secret — they really did have the abilities they pretended to. High rollers, lounge singers, cigarettes, alcohol, and superpowers. Welcome to Las Vegas. Packed with extras not available in the retail version and limited to 100 copies!
PANEL:
On Thursday July 21st from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in in Room 23ABC, be sure to head to our panel! Below is the full description that will appear in the convention guide.
6:00 – 7:00 Arcana Comics – A Look at One of the World’s Largest Graphic Novel Publishers – Sean Patrick O’Reilly(Clockwork Girl), Josh Blaylock (Devil’s Due), Erik Hendrix(SideShows), Mike Kalvoda (Banshee), Brooke Burgess(Becoming), Matt Wilson (Scrooge & Santa), and Ryan Colucci(Harbor Moon) take us through some of the amazing talent coming out of one of the world’s largest graphic novel producers. Passing 150 graphic novels released, find out what the publisher currently has in the works, what’s coming in the near future, a sneak peak at the 3D animated feature film, Clockwork Girl, Arcana’s slate of interactive apps, and more. See how independent publishers make their mark in the comic book industry and blur the lines between mediums, Arcana style. Attendees will get free comics and also for free is the first in a series of “Arcana Universe” posters!
SIGNINGS:
This year, we have signings scheduled back to back throughout the convention, so if you miss your favorite creator, worry not, they’re likely appearing again later that day or the next. Below is the schedule for your viewing enjoyment.
Wednesday – PREVIEW NIGHT – July 20th
· 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
· 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
Thursday – July 21st
· 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
· 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge and Santa
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o John Barker – Dead Cell
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
o Rachel Taylor – Velvet Rope
o Siike Donnelly – Heaven’s Echo
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra: Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
· 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge and Santa
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o John Barker – Dead Cell
Friday – July 22nd
· 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge and Santa
o John Barker – Dead Cell
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
o Siike Donnelly – Heaven’s Echo
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra: Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
· 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge & Santa
o John Barker – Dead Cell
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra: Egyptian Exchange
· 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Rachel Taylor – Velvet Rope
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
· 4:00 – 5:45 PM
o Nikola Jajic – Loosely Based & Devil’s Island
· 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
· 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge and Santa
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
Saturday – July 23rd
· 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Bart Thompson – Blood, Shells, & Roses
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
o Nikola Jajic – Loosely Based & Devil’s Island
· 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge and Santa
o Matt Jacobs & Shannon Eric Denton – Grunts & Grunts: War Stories
o John Barker – Dead Cell
· 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra : Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
o Rachel Taylor – Velvet Rope
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Bart Thompson – Blood, Shells, & Roses
o Matt Jacobs & Shannon Eric Denton – Grunts & Grunts: War Stories
o Nikola Jajic – Loosely Based & Devil’s Island
· 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
o Ryan Colucci – Harbor Moon
· 5:00 PM – 5:45 pm
o Matt Wilson & Josh Kenfield – Scrooge & Santa
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o John Barker – Dead Cell
· 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
o Bart Thompson – Blood, Shells, & Roses
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra : Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
Sunday – July 24th
· 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
o Matt Jacobs & Shannon Eric Denton – Grunts & Grunts: War Stories
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
· 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
· 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Bart Thompson – Blood, Shells, & Roses
o Mike Kalvoda – Banshee & Straw
o Matt Jacobs & Shannon Eric Denton – Grunts & Grunts: War Stories
· 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
o Rachel Taylor – Velvet Rope
o Ben Fisher & Mike Henderson – Hexen Hammers
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra: Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
· 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
o Erik Hendrix – SideShows
o Brooke Burgess & Dane Cypel – Becoming
o Aaron Nelson – Marlow
· 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
o Bart Thompson – Blood, Shells, & Roses
o Frank Barbiere – Divine Intervention & Endless West
o Alfonso Ruiz – Ezra: Egyptian Exchange (plus some of our promo art this year)
o Sean Dulaney – 51 Delta
