San Diego Photos

Comic-Con kicks off today with the Preview Night, and the free shuttle bus that travels to the cavernous Convention Centre every few minutes is right outside my hotel!

I woke up at 4am local time so flicked through the 30 channels and landed on Aliens vs Predator: Requiem. It’s not any better at 4am. Then I had the first of my many complimentary breakfasts, which today included a scone, some cereal, a mini pizza, a muffin, a bagel and two coffees. Yeah, I was hungry. Apart from the locals in their polo shirts talking on their phones or working on their laptops I saw a fellow Con attendee. They’re everywhere in this city now, and the Con was a cover feature in today’s USA Today. The chap I talked to was a rather large fellow, and brought 3 costumes with him of Captain America (Isaiah Bradley), Falcon and Black Panther. I then went for a walk around town for about an hour, bought some food, a six pack of Dr. Pepper and some shorts as it’s hot here. I also talked to a cab driver who couldn’t understand me, and took some photos of my room and various points of interest around downtown San Diego, which included the ever present Comic-Con banners and a yellow fire hydrant, just like in Shelbyville! Spooky.

Hotel 1

Hotel 2

Hotel 3

San Diego ShipsSan Diego Starbucks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comic-Con/Avatar Banner

Comic-Con FlyerHorton Plaza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Fire Hydrant

Free Anime Episodes

From the generous folks at Madman Entertainment comes a few more series from their on-line Screening Room. Info below.

Gurren LagannFollowing the successful launch of Screening Room +, Madman announces further series’ now available for streaming online.

Screening Room + (www.madman.com.au/videos) launched in early April, 2009, debuting with premiere episodes of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD, and has already grown to stream tens of thousands of episodes and regularly garners hundreds of daily viewers.

Madman now proudly presents all 26 episodes of HIS AND HERS CIRCUMSTANCES, a fan-favourite romance from the director of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. All 26 episodes are currently online and available for an 8-week season only.

Coming late July is Studio Gainax’s GURREN LAGANN and the highly anticipated GUNADAM 00 – two of the most popular and sought after upcoming anime series. 

Both series will stream episodes prior to their release on DVD. Go here for all free episodes.

Punisher R.I.P

On sale on August 19 is Punisher#8 written by Rick Remender and art by Tan Eng Huat (Doom Patrol). It’s described by Marvel like this: 

Dark Reign The List brings the most dramatic changes ever to Punisher! Dark Wolverine faces off against Frank Castle and the Punisher’s (after)life is altered forever! Beginning with Punisher #8, don’t miss four special Rest In Pieces Variants, all clues to the startling changes ahead for the Punisher! 

And if that doesn’t perplex and excite you, check out the John Romita Jr. promo below.

Punisher RIP

The Eagle Has Landed

After 4 airports and over 20 hours in the air I have hit San Diego and my new hotel. Free internet and cable, and it’s right across from the gym, not that I’ll be using it. Through passing via the time/space continuum I have now arrived earlier than when I left. 

The flight from Sydney to L.A didn’t seem like 14 hours, thanks to the in-flight entertainment and surprisingly lengthy periods of napping. For amusement I chose Paul Blart: Mall Cop and multiple episodes of Thank God You’re Here and 30 Rock from the small screen before me. Sweet. I also sat next two very welcoming fellow Aussies; both veterans of the TV industry who are premiering their film, Resistance at Comic-Con. It sounds awesome, and their years of travelling world-wide also aided me in my glances of confusion at the crowded chaos of LAX. A pretty good start to the Con. Now I must sleep, before it officially starts tomorrow.

Mass Effect Comic

Mass Effect was a pretty good sci-fi game for the XBOX 360. Now fans can celebrate, as both a sequel and a comic is in the works. Press release below.

EA AND DARK HORSE COMICS BLAST OFF WITH MASS EFFECT COMIC SERIES

Sci-Fi Comic Prequel Bridges Heroic conclusion of Mass Effect and Mysterious Beginning of Mass Effect 2

BioWare™, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Dark Horse Comics today announced a new comic book series based on Mass Effect™, the blockbuster sci-fi action videogame that IGN.com rated the #1 Xbox 360™ game of all time. In Mass Effect: Redemption, the story takes readers through the treacherous events leading up to Mass Effect 2 which opens with galactic hero Commander Shepard having mysteriously gone missing and left to fight for survival. What unfolds next will expose readers to new locations, aliens and extended storyline in the Mass Effect universe. Mass Effect: Redemption is scheduled to launch in January 6, 2010.

masseffect2_screenshot

The Mass Effect: Redemption story is written by Lead Writer Mac Walters at BioWare. Walters is the script writer behind Mass Effect 2. He brings unique insight to the Mass Effect comic and nuance of the world within. The comic is scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man) and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars Legacy). This first four-part series explores the exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass Effect, revealing previously unseen locations, aliens, and enemies of this rich science fiction landscape.

Mac Walters and Omar Francia will be autographing a Comic-con exclusive Mass Effect signing card at the Dark Horse booth (#2615) on July 24th at 4:00pm – 5:00pm at Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, CA.

“Fans of Mass Effect are going to be pleasantly shocked by the events in these comics,” says Mac Walters. “We worked very closely with Dark Horse to make sure this story was built in to the Mass Effect 2 arc, right from the ground up. Reading the series won’t just add to your experience of the universe, it will change the way you look at Mass Effect 2… and beyond.”

“Those familiar with Mass Effect are aware that it offers one of the deepest and most compelling universes in the history of space adventure,” says Dark Horse President and Publisher Mike Richardson. “We have a long history of successfully adapting properties such as Aliens, Star Wars, and Serenity into comics, and we feel that Mass Effect has tremendous potential with regard to graphic storytelling.”

The narrative in Mass Effect: Redemption picks up just as Commander Shepard disappears and is left without the support of the crew on the Normandy in the lawless Terminus Systems. Shepard must fight for survival, and will be assisted by close companion, Dr. Liara T’Soni, to come home alive. This story is sure to be a must-read for fans looking to fill the gap between the first and second game.

Mass Effect: Redemption issue 1 hits comic shop shelves in January 6, 2010.

Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for release on Xbox 360 and PC in early 2010. Follow us on Twitter or for more information about BioWare please visit their official site.

Comic-Con 09-Here I Come!

Yep, it’s a year already. I’ll be leaving in a few hours to go to the biggest pop culture event in all of geekdom, San Diego Comic-Con for my second year. It’s all rather exciting. I’m staying at a better hotel, I have swanky new ‘business’ cards and I even know people this time, thanks to writing for Broken Frontier and Extra Sequential. A lot can change in a year. I’ll be updating regularly (assuming I can use the internet easily) and will post photos and various hip happenings over the next week and a bit. Now it’s time for 22 hours in the air. Oh boy.

Comic-Con 2009

Iron Man 2 Pics

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con special, we have two new pics of Iron Man 2. The sequel stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Mickey Rourke as the Russian bad guy Whiplash and Scarlett Johansson as the sleek spy Black Widow. The film opens on May 7 next year.

Iron Man 2 EW Cvr

Black Widow EW

Marvel’s Comic-Con 09 Panels

There’s just not enough hours in the day, especially at Comic-Con. Marvel’s schedule below.

Marvel is proud to unveil our complete panel schedule for Comic Con International in San Diego . Sure, you’ll be visiting our booth on the convention floor (that’s booth #2429, True Believer!), but now you can enjoy the world-famous Marvel Panels! Swinging off the stands, flying onto the big screen, smashing through televisions, blasting into game consoles, and ruling the web, Marvel Entertainment is the one company where you can find the best in comics, films, animation, games and digital media. Now we’re bringing it all to San Diego for you, the fans!

“Marvel has the best fans in the world and we’re excited to provide them with the best panels in the world,” said Mike Pasciullo, Vice President of Merchandising and Communications, Marvel Entertainment Inc. “If you’ve never experienced a Marvel panel live, make sure to stop by for Q&A with your favorite creators, major announcements and, as always, big surprises!”

Please note, all guests, times and rooms are subject to change.

Thursday, July 23

1:00 – 2:00 Marvel: Mondo Marvel – From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, we’ve got the top talent on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements!  Panelists include Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X),  Dennis Calero(X Men Noir)Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man)Paul Tobin (Models, INC), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Lethal Legion), Steve Wacker (Spider-Man Editor), Jim McCann (New Avengers: The Reunion), and more as they take on all questions!  Room 6DE

3:30 – 4:30 Marvel: Breaking Into the House of Ideas – Are you a writer or artist?  Ever dream of working for Marvel?  Do you find yourself thinking “I could do that…if I knew how!”  Well, here’s your chance!  Join C.B. Cebulski, Marvel’s Talent Liason, and special guests writer Jeph Loeb (Ultimatum), Marvel editor Charlie Beckerman, artist Mike Choi (X-Force), colorist Christina Strain (Runaways), and more to find out the answers on how to get your foot in the door at every level in the creative process and how to make your job MARVEL!  Room 6DE

Friday, July 24

11:00 – 12:00 Marvel: X-Men – The streets have erupted in violence and the safe haven mutants thought they’d found is in turmoil.  The Dark Avengers have put Daken in Wolverine’s place, and there’s an all-out war tearing through space and time with a certain red-haired green-eyed girl at the center of it.  You’ve got questions & these people have answers!  X-Men group Editor Axel Alonso is joined by a host of creators to lay out what’s going on and resurrect a beloved…—well, that would be telling!  You need to hear it for yourself!  Panelists include Matt Fraction (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia),Craig Kyle & Chris Yost (X-Force), Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine), Daniel Way (Deadpool), Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X), and more for this all-new, all-DEADLY panel! Room 6DE

MarvelAtComicConInternational20092:00 – 3:00 Marvel: Cup O’ Joe – This is it, Mighty Marvel fans- the no-holds-barred, anything goes, full of surprises panel you wait all year for, and it’s here!  Marvel’s EEK (Editor-in-Chief) Joe Quesada takes on all questions, shocks the audience with jaw-dropping announcements, and keeps you guessing with surprise guests.  You never know who will show up, but you better be here, because this is the panel that everyone will be talking about! Room 6BCF

4:30 – 5:30 Marvel Animation –The new age of Marvel animation is here! Marvel’s President of Animation Eric Rollman and General Manager of Nicktoons Network Keith Dawkins are joined by the creative minds behind the new hit series Wolverine and the X-Men, and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. Head Writers Greg Johnson (WatX), Chris Yost (IMAA), Supervising Producer Craig Kyle (WatX, IMAA), Voice Director Jamie Simone (WatX) and the voice of Wolverine, Steve Blum, discuss each series and what the future holds. Then stay tuned for a first look at Marvel Animé from acclaimed Japanese animation studio Madhouse, featuring Madhouse President Masao Maruyama (Gotham Knight, Tokyo Godfathers), and writer Warren Ellis (The Authority, Astonishing X-Men). Also expect sneak peaks at the upcoming next Marvel Animated Feature from Lionsgate. You don’t want to miss this panel! Room 6BCF

The Marvel Animation panel is linked to talent signing events at the Marvel Entertainment booth (#2429) on the convention floor. The talent behind Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Wolverine and the X-Men will be signing from 3-4pm. Masao Maruyama and Warren Ellis will be signing from 6-7pm.

5:30 – 6:30 Marvel Digital Comics…And Beyond!. Be there for the world premiere of Marvel Motion Comics! Join Joe Quesada, Dan Buckley, members of the Marvel Digital Media Group and SURPRISE GUESTS as they unveil the next phase in graphic storytelling. Also, catch the world premiere of the Marvel.com original video series, Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! episode 4. Plus, get jacked into the rest of the digital dynamite—from Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited (the greatest collection of Marvel comics ever assembled online) to casual games, original streaming video and the future of Marvel’s ever-growing digital endeavors! Room 6DE

Saturday, July 25

10:00 – 11:00 Marvel: “Hero Up” with The Super Hero Squad Show! – Marvel’s first action-comedy series is a manic, mind-blowing, all-ages romp through the Marvel Universe. Coming to Cartoon Network in September, the animated show is loaded with superstar voice talent. Join several of the actors, previewing their characters in a live performance: including Tom Kenny (Spongebob) as Iron Man & MODOK, Charlie Adler (Cow and ChickenTransformers features) as Dr. Doom, Steve Blum (Wolverine and the X-Men) as Wolverine, Grey DeLisle (Fairly OddparentsClone Wars) as Ms. Marvel, andStan “The Man” Lee as The Mayor. Supervising Producer Cort Lane (Iron Man: Armored Adventures), Matt Wayne (Justice League Unlimited), Supervising Director Mitch Schauer (Freakazoid, Angry Beavers), Exec. Producer Joe Quesada (Marvel Editor-In-Chief) & Exec. Producer Eric Rollman(President, Marvel Animation) share series secrets, a world premiere clip and a preview of THQ’s epic Super Hero Squad video game. Followed by Q&A! Room 6BCF

At 2:30pm The Super Hero Squad Show panel will be followed by a signing event at the Marvel Entertainment booth (#2429) featuring much of the cast, including Tom Kenny, Charlie Adler, Steve Blum, Mikey Kelly (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature), Dave Boat (Ultimate Avengers 1 & 2) and Travis Willingham (Fullmetal Alchemist).

11:30- 12:30 Activision: Ultimate Alliance 2 Room Indigo Room

11:30 – 12:30 Marvel: Dark Reign – The Cabal has taken over the Marvel Universe and forever changed it.  Now, Norman Osborn has his LIST and is taking everyone down who stands in his way.  What lies on the horizon?  Find out here as the creators behind the madmen & women putting the Marvel Heroes through their paces answer your questions and let you in on what happens next! Join Joe QuesadaRick Remender (Dark Reign: The List), Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man), Jason Aaron (Dark Reign: The List), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Made Men), Joe Casey (Dark Reign: Zodiac), Marvel editor Alejandro Arbona and more as they shed some light on DARK REIGN!  Room 6A

4:00 – 5:00 Marvel Studios/Paramount: Iron Man 2 Movie Panel – Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero ” Iron Man. ”  Directed by Jon Favreau, “Iron Man 2″ stars Robert Downey Jr. Joining Downey in the cast are Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Clark Gregg, John Slattery, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson.  Hall H

Sunday, July 26

11:00 – 12:00 Marvel: The Women of Marvel – One of the most talked about panels from last year is back!  Forget Storm & She-Hulk, meet the real Ms. Marvels of the comic world!  Join women from every discipline in the creative process at Marvel to hear what it’s like working as a woman in comics today and how you can join them.  Say goodbye to the so-called “Boy’s Club,” these ladies are busting down the four-color ceiling!  Guests include New York Times Best Selling author Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine), Christina Strain (World War Hulk), Colleen Coover (Marvel Adventures), Sonia Oback (X-Force), Emily Warren (Secret Invasion) and more!  Room 7AB

12:45-1:45 Marvel:  The Next Generation of Marvel Video Games – Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, Super Hero Squad and Iron Man 2.  Join us for trailer previews, discussion and Q & A on the next wave of Marvel Games from publishers Activision, THQ, and SEGA.  Writers Matt Fraction , Mark Hoffmeier, and Evan Skolnick will be on hand along with the game developers Kyle BrinkRobert BlackadderDan Tanguay and TQ Jefferson to discuss views on how story and design can come together to make licensed games that don’t suck. Room 6A

Harry Knowles Gets Radical

This is a rather impressive coup. The man who made film reviews interesting, and pop culture loving acceptable will be hosting a Radical Publishing panel at next week’s Comic-Con in San Diego. Press release below.

At SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2009, Radical Publishing will be featuring an all-star panel with top talent from both the comic and entertainment industry. Hosted by Ain’t It Cool News’ founder and head geek, Harry Knowles, the Radical Creators Panel will treat fans to a preview of upcoming Radical projects as well as the opportunity to hear some exclusive announcements on Friday, July 24th from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. in Room 4. Guests who arrive at the panel will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a pair of passes to the Radical Event at the Hard Rock Hotel. The lucky winner will be announced at the end of the panel.

The Radical Publishing Creators Panel will include comic book legend Jim Steranko, cover artist for Radical’sHercules: The Knives of KushArthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), creator and writer for Cholly & Flytrap: Center City; Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), creator and writer of City of Dust: A Philip Khrome StoryJimmy Palmiotti(Jonah Hex), creator and co-writer of the upcoming Radical series Time Bomb; David Hine (Civil War: X-Men), writer of FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie AgencyRick Remender (Punisher), creator and writer of Radical’s upcoming futuristic crime thriller The Last Days of American Crime; Nick Simmons (A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels), son of rock legend Gene Simmons and creator, writer and artist of Incarnate, which debuts at Comic-Con; Zombie Studios CEO Mark LongNick Sagan (writer of the Idlewild trilogy) and M. Zachary Sherman (SOCOM: Seal Team Seven) of the critically acclaimed science fiction epic Shrapnel: Aristeia Rising; Sam Sarkar, creator and writer of Caliber, soon to be a major motion picture produced by Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil; and Steve Pugh, writer and illustrator of the supernatural detective series Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead, based on a story by Warren Ellis.

 “This is a panel that’s sure to live up to the hype,” said Radical President and Publisher Barry Levine. “We’re proud to be hosting a collection of the best in the business at our San Diego Comic-Con panel this year and we’ll be announcing some of our most exciting projects to date that will implement the new Bigger Books! Bigger Value!format. This is something you won’t want to miss.”

Radical SDCC09 schedule

Top Cow’s July Freebies

Top Cow’s latest freebie initiative launches across 25 comic shops in the U.S and Canada. Details below, and perhaps your comic shop (see the link below).

CYBERFORCE/HUNTER-KILLER #1 HEATS UP JULY’S “LET US WIN YOU OVER” PROMOTION

Publisher unveils 25 participating retailers for month of July

CFHK #1Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for July and the next free issue in the program – Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and a portion of July’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO. Top Cow reminds retailers that any direct market retailer with a Diamond account is eligible to participate and should contact their Diamond Customer Service representative for information on signing up.
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1 marks the return of two of Top Cow’s most popular teams to the forefront of the Top Cow Universe and the first time the two teams have met. When the Hunter-Killer team zeroes in on Cyberforce as rogue Ultra-Sapiens, a brutal melee erupts. But who is manipulating the two teams into conflict and to what end?  Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1 is written by Hunter-Killer co-creator Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Amazing Spider-Man) and drawn by artist Kenneth Rocafort (Astonishing Tales, Madame Mirage). Series artist Rocafort provides two connected covers each featuring one team and the hot art team of Mike Choi & Sonia Oback (Uncanny X-Men, X-Force) provide covers for Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 and retails for $2.99.
“It’s no hyperbole on my part when I say that this is Top Cow’s biggest event series for 2009. We’ve been building towards this for well over a year and so it was a natural step to include the launch issue in the “Let Us Win YOU Over” program,” said Filip Sablik, Top Cow’s Publisher.

CFHK1

“ ’Let us win YOU over’ should be renamed ‘THANK YOU Top Cow’. Two hundred FREE copies to give to customers is the type of promotion I hope to see more of from all comic publishers,” added Ryan Liebowitz of Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles, CA, “It’s a win-win scenario for everyone and a total no-brainer!”

A list of the participating retailers during the month of July (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative –www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase Berserker at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the retailer they wish to visit for specific details:

Continue reading

Tyrese Gibson Signing

Tyrese will be singing copies of the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen comic books based on the blockbuster smash movie now in theaters, as well as discussing his upcoming comic book collaboration, MAYHEM!, with local superstar and Image Comics founder, Todd McFarlane who had this to say, “With the current state of the comic book industry, any new infusion of excitement or customers would be a welcome relief. Tyrese brings both of those to the table along with his unbridled enthusiasm. Image is looking forward to having a long sustained run with him on MAYHEM and some of the other ideas he’s talked about for the future.”
Megastar artist Jim Lee is also excited about MAYHEM, “There’s nothing more compelling about a bold, original character than an impassioned team of creators. MAYHEM’s boundless energy starts from the top as whirlwind dynamo creator Tyrese Gibson singlehandedly makes you love the character as if he were your very own betrayed, tragic son seeking redemption. MAYHEM is fresh, fun and most importantly, from the heart.”
Because of time contraints and to help ensure as many fans as possible have the opportunity to meet Tyrese, fans can only obtain autographs on one comic book purchased from Atomic Comics at the event, plus one personal item.
All fans who have prepaid for MAYHEM! #1-3 for only $10 will have a backing board signed as well, and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a limited signed copy of this hot new comic!
Tyrese’s talented comic book posse will be at Atomic Comics Chandler as well: Mike Le, Will Wilson, Percy Carey (Eisner Award nominated writer of the groundbreaking graphic novel, Sentences), and artist Tone Rodriguez.

tyreseEVENT

Owly Toon Debuts At Comic-Con

Top Shelf’s cute owl who stars in his own silent adventures springs to life in animated form at Comic-Con. Press release below.

Owly 3-DOwly Animated Short to Debut at Comic-Con!

Top Shelf Productions and Sprite Animation Studios team up to bring beloved graphic novel character to life. 

Owly, the kindhearted star of the award-winning graphic novel series by Andy Runton, will come to life in an animated short at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 23-26. 

It was jointly announced today by Chris Staros, Publisher of Top Shelf Productions and Junichi Yanagihara, Executive Producer at Sprite Animation Studios that the loveable Owly and his unlikely best friend Wormy will be animated in a brand-new original segment directed by Moto Sakakibara and storyboarded by creator Andy Runton. Prominently featured will be Runton’s innovative “Pictomation,” a storytelling device in which the characters’ thoughts and feelings are animated with iconic and expressive images rather than dialogue, enabling fans of all ages, languages, and backgrounds to enjoy the show. 

“I’m absolutely overjoyed to be working with the entire Sprite team. Over the past months, we’ve worked very closely to make sure Owly was faithfully translated to 3D. Every little detail was important to them, and the end result blows me away! They’ve created an animation that captures the pure essence of Owly in ways I never thought possible. It’s amazing to see Owly and Wormy come to life like this. The level of artistry at Sprite is incredible.” said creator Andy Runton. 

Wormy 3-D“I am very passionate about the world of ‘Owly’ and its pure, honest, and adorable star. It is such a blessing to be able to bring Owly to new audiences who have not yet been touched by these wonderful stories,” said director Moto Sakakibara. 

Fans can visit the Top Shelf Productions booth (#1721) during the convention to see the short and to speak with members of the Sprite and Top Shelf teams, as well as meet Andy Runton, who will be there signing graphic novels, doing sketches, and talking to fans from around the world. 

Owly’s foray into animation comes at a time of big changes for the little “bird of play.” Following the re-release of all five Owly trade paperbacks with newly painted covers; a new line of T-shirts; a new supply of plushies; a brand new American Library Association poster and bookmark celebrating Owly’s support for libraries nationwide; the creation of an extensive collection of lesson plans for the use of Owly in classrooms; the release of all five Owly trade paperbacks on Amazon’s Kindle, and the announcement that Top Shelf and Andy Runton have entered into an agreement with Simon & Schuster to publish two Owly picture books, starting with Owly & Wormy in Friends All Aflutter in 2011, Owly is on the move. 

Coheed And Cambria Kills Audio With Boom

Press release below about a new comic from the increasingly diverse BOOM! Studios, written by Claudio Sanchez of the band Coheed and Cambria. The book launches in October but a preview book, and vinyl figure will be available at next weekend’s Comic-Con at San Diego.


KillAudioCvrClaudio Sanchez, the celebrated creator of the COHEED AND CAMBRIA mythology, including the best selling sci-fi mini-series, THE AMORY WARS, is back with an entirely new concept!  One of the most unique and powerful minds in rock and comics unleashes possibly the most provocative new comic of 2009: KILL AUDIO!

Shipping this October from BOOM! Studios, fans can get a first look at KILL AUDIO this July at Comic-Con International, when Claudio Sanchez signs the KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK available only at the BOOM! Studios Booth #2543.  In addition to the KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK, fans will also get a chance to purchase the monotone variant of the KILL AUDIO VINYL FIGURE, limited to 1200 pieces. The KILL AUDIO VINYL FIGURE will only be available during signing times.

“This is disturbing work, and I mean that as a compliment,” BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid said. “Anyone who’s a fan of THE MAXX or of Robot Chicken should check this out.”

KILL_AUDIO_TOY_VARIANTKILL AUDIO follows the adventures of an immortal little troll who struggles to find purpose in a land where creativity is a controlled substance. When musical creativity spirals into chaos, KILL AUDIO discovers his life mission.

Supported by a wildly eccentric posse and a nemesis hell-bent on proving his mortality, KILL AUDIO takes on non-sensical musical sub-genres while traipsing across a vivid landscape, all of which could only come from the intense mind of Claudio Sanchez.

 


The KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK and the KILL AUDIO VINYL FIGURE* will be available at the BOOM! Studios booth (#2543) with Claudio signing on Friday and Saturday from 4pm – 5pm.

Written by Claudio Sanchez and Chondra Echert, KILL AUDIO features mind-melting art by Harvey Nominated Mr. Sheldon with covers by Mr. Sheldon and Kristian Donaldson of DMZ fame. The KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK will sell for $5 while the limited edition monotone variant KILL AUDIO VINYL FIGURE will sell for $40.

*Please note the Vinyl Figure will only be available during signing times.

KillAudio1

KillAudio2

The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone Review

surrogates flesh and boneNow up at Broken Frontier is my review of the excellent second volume set in The Surrogates universe. This Top Shelf OGN is by the same creative team of writer Robert Venditti and artist Brett Weldele, and it’s awesome. A world where the populace is largely dependent on robotic avatars while they laze around at home is a great premise and the creators weave in issues of class and culture with great skill. Highly recommended. Here’s an excerpt of my review:

Publishing this as a complete 144 page OGN was a good move from Top Shelf. From interrogation rooms, to boardrooms, it appears as a seamless narrative.  Whereas the precursor to this volume was focused more on themes of living vicariously through surrogates, Flesh and Bone focuses more on the divide between the haves and the have-nots. It’s almost like a sci-fi Spike Lee film.

You can read the rest here.

Also released recently was the new poster for the film adaptation of the first volume, that hits cinema screens on September 25. It stars Bruce Willis and is directed by Jonathan Mostow (U-571, Terminator 3).

The Surrogates Film Poster

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