Thursday, June 25, 2009

JEFF PARKER AND STEVE LIEBER GO UNDERGROUND WITH IMAGE COMICS THIS SEPTEMBER!



The artist of WHITEOUT and writer of AGENTS OF ATLAS team up for the four issue mini-series, UNDERGROUND!


As Warner Brothers gears up to release WHITEOUT, its Eisner-winning artist Steve Lieber returns to the adventure genre with a new thriller from Image Comics, pairing with acclaimed AGENTS OF ATLAS and EXILES writer Jeff Parker on the September shipping UNDERGROUND!

“UNDERGROUND is a fast, tough story about people who have been pushed into tight corners — both ethical and literal,” Parker said. “None of them knew they were about to be caught up in a life or death struggle, it’s a situation that has spiraled out of control. I’ve known Steve Lieber for years and he’s the best at this. No one can put the real world on the comics page the way he does. He draws real people and puts them in real danger.”

In UNDERGROUND, Park Ranger and avid caver Wesley Fischer is on a one-woman mission to stop Stillwater Cave from being turned into a tourist trap, but public opinion is not on her side. When locals begin blasting in the cave, Wes and a fellow ranger investigate – and a confrontation spirals into a deadly chase deep under the Kentucky mountains!

Lieber added, “We knew Image was the right publisher for UNDERGROUND as we like how they’ve expanded the comics audience with titles like THE WALKING DEAD and now VIKING. We want to continue pushing the reading public with UNDERGROUND.”

UNDERGROUND #1 (JUL090341), a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores September 23rd, 2009. For more information, please see http://www.undergroundthecomic.com.


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Lost Figures Found at Bif Bang Pow!



Manufacturer Releases the First in a Line of All-New Action Figures and Bobble Heads Based on the ABC Series


Bif Bang Pow! unveils the first in a line of collectibles based on the immensely popular ABC series Lost at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2009. And there's more to come with a special array of bobble heads and articulated action figures with story-specific accessories already in the works.

The creepy and enigmatic Benjamin "Ben" Linus is the first to be released in bobble head form, available exclusively at the Entertainment Earth booth (#2343) at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2009, July 23-26. Based on recent storylines from the show, he comes bruised and bloodied with his arm in a sling… but you wouldn't want him any other way! He stands on a Dharma Initiative logo base and comes in Dharma Initiative packaging. Only 1,008 pieces of this Comic-Con Exclusive will be produced. (Retail price: $17 including tax - while supplies last - limit two per person.)

"The twists, turns, and multiple threads that characterize Lost give rise to a host of distinctive and unforgettable characters. These characters lend themselves to the creation of unique figures and accessories that have terrific fan appeal and serve to memorialize this exceptional TV series," said Jason Lenzi, CEO of Bif Bang Pow! "We're thrilled to be bringing new bobble heads and poseable action figures to market in the vein of what Bif Bang Pow! has done with licenses in the past. As always with Lost and Bif Bang Pow!, expect the unexpected!"

Lost stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Jeremy Davies as Daniel Faraday, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, and Terry O’Quinn as Locke. Lost was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Carlton Cuse, Jack Bender, Edward Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz serve as executive producers. Lost, which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii and premiered on September 22, 2004, is from ABC Studios.


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5 Quick Questions With the Luna Brothers



The Luna Brothers, Jonathan and Joshua Luna, were born in California and spent most of their childhood overseas. They returned to the United States in their late teens.

Writing and drawing comics since they were children, they both graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with BFAs in Sequential Art.

The Luna Brothers are the creators of ULTRA, GIRLS, and THE SWORD (Image Comics). Their works also include SPIDER-WOMAN: ORIGIN (Marvel Comics), written by Brian Michael Bendis and Brian Reed.

Ultra, was a miniseries published by Image Comics between 2004 and 2005. Girls was also published by Image and ran, between May 2005 and April 2007. Their latest venture is a limited series, again for Image, called The Sword. It started in October 2007. It is intended to last for about two years.

They currently reside in the Washington D.C. metro area.



They agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:


1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Jonathan: I'd say my greatest achievement in comics was getting Ultra #1 published with Image Comics. It was a life-long dream to get into comics and that's when it came true.

Joshua: My answer is pretty much the same. I just feel very fortunate to be able to make comics for a living.


2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Jonathan: Obviously Josh. We're very in tune and complement each other well. Very synergistic.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Jonathan: Batman. He's just a normal human being. But he's considered to be a superhero.

Joshua: None at the moment, really.


4) Who are your influences?

Jonathan: Biggest influences somewhat chronologically: Jim Lee. Adam Hughes. Bryan Hitch. Hiroaki Samura.

Joshua: I can’t really pinpoint specific influences without sounding inaccurate, mainly because I’m mostly inspired by random bits and pieces of just about everything I come across.


5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Jonathan: None. They're all fine as they are. And considering we create our own stories, I don't have a strong desire to do that.

Joshua: Same here.


You can check out the Luna Brothers' series The Sword, on-going in stores now, and at their website at LunaBrothers.com

Brian Isaacs
Executive Editor/Owner
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San Diego Comic-Con 2009—New Toys & More




Comic-Con is coming and we've got all kinds of news for you. Click here to get the downlow on fan panels, special toys for sale, and more!

What are you waiting for?


Comic-Con is coming!

For us toy collectors, the granddaddy of events has to be San Diego Comic-Con. The 2009 show starts July 23rd (preview night July 22nd) and runs through July 26th, and this year I'm bringing more cool stuff than ever before!

FAN PANELS
First off, we'll have not one, but TWO fan panels at the show:

Mattel & DC Comics, a Powerful Partnership
Friday, JULY 24
11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
ROOM 2 MattyPalooza
Friday, JULY 24
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
ROOM 2

NEW PRODUCTS
Then, visit me at Booth #2845, and you'll find tons of new toys either just coming on the market or soon to come. We'll have Ghostbusters™, DC Universe, DC Universe Classics, Infinite Heroes, Justice League Unlimited, Masters of the Universe Classics, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Disney/Pixar CARS, Toy Story, Hot Wheels, Scene It? The DVD Game, and the insane new Mindflex game — plus a few surprises!

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT COMIC-CON
Products will be sold starting preview night. Customer service and safety is our number one priority, so we'll have a separate booth run by our Toy Club to handle sales. Lines will only be allowed to get as long as the designated roped-off area, but "fast-pass" tickets will be handed out to reserve your spot later that day. Limits on all exclusives will be six per person, per visit to the Mattel booth.

If you choose to wait in line a second time, you'll be eligible to buy another 6 figures (there will also be a limit of six figures for online purchases after the show). It should all go very smoothly for the best buying experience yet!

We're going to have plenty of gotta-get products available for sale, including (click each for all the scoop):

* Disney/Pixar CARS Toon Rescue Squad Mater
* 3-3/4" scale Buzz Lightyear figure
* DC Universe Infinite Heroes Anti-Monitor figure
* Justice League Unlimited Green Lantern Origins 3-pack
* DC Universe Classics Wonder Twins 2 pack
* Masters of the Universe Classics He-Ro figure
* Ghostbusters™ Classics Dr. Egon Spengler™ with Slimer

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT MATTYCOLLECTOR.COM
Can't make it to Comic-Con? Fear not, fair comic fan! You'll be able to get everything listed above on MattyCollector.com starting at 12:00 Noon on Monday, August 3rd, except these items:

* SDCC variant He-Ro
* SDCC variant Buzz Lightyear (with "Andy" on his foot)
* SDCC Gleek (but the Wonder Twins without Gleek will be available)

Whew! That's it for now, but stay tuned to MattyCollector.com, because I'll have more news as Comic-Con gets closer.

—Matty

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Justice Society of America Action Figures Series 2 Set




Do you like Alex Ross artwork and character designs? If so, this Justice Society of America Action Figures Series 2 Set is probably something you're going to want to have. Each individually packaged figure has a display base and the kind of DC Direct articulation you've come to appreciate. They're coming early next year, but if you pre-order now, you won't have to remember to order them later. And, we won't charge your credit card until it ships! How great is that?

Also, the Justice Society of America Series 1 Action Figure Set is just around the corner. Be sure to check that one out, too!


Justice Society of America Action Figures Series 2 Set
Description:

* The golden age of the DC Universe!
* JLA action figures based on the art of Alex Ross.
* Four second-generation Justice Society of America heroes.
* Includes Kingdom Come Superman!

Relive the golden age of the DC Universe with these JLA superheroes based on the art of Alex Ross! Each amazing Justice Society of America Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base, and comes in 4-color, pegable, window-box packaging. You'll be golden with these in your collection!

This set of 4 pieces contains the following action figures (subject to change):
1x Cyclone
1x Hourman
1x Kingdom Come Superman
1x Stargirl

Four second-generation Justice Society of America superheroes are grouped together to make up the second series of action figures based on the art of Alex Ross! Just as Geoff Johns' "Thy Kingdom Come" story arc brought the Kingdom Come Superman into current continuity, this series of figures also features a fully articulated, original sculpt of the character.

DC JSA Superman, Stargirl, and More Action Figures!

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Diamond Select Shipping Updates



Diamond Select has released an updated shipping list for their products.


JUNE 2009
06/24/09
Marvel Select Arachne Action Figure
Star Trek TOS Tricorder Replica

JULY 2009
07/01/09
Ghostbusters Minimates Series 1 Box Set

07/08/09
Marvel Select Wolverine Action Figure

07/15/09
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Kirk & Spock Two-Pack
Star Trek TOS Kirk & Uhura Two-Pack
Star Trek TOS McCoy & Sulu Two-Pack
Star Trek TOS Spock & Scotty Two-Pack

07/22/09
Back to the Future Time Machine
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Mace Windu

07/29/09
Back to the Future Marty Cap Replica
Marvel Minimates Wolverine Through the Ages Box Set
Marvel Select Movie Wolverine
Schoolgirl Dawn PVC Statue
Star Trek DS9 Sisko in Command Chair
Stargate SG-1 Series 5 PX Ba’al Figure
Stargate SG-1 Series 5 Set

AUGUST 2009
08/05/09
Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Bank
Marvel Select Sabretooth
Star Wars Darth Vader Unmasked Bust Bank
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Anakin Skywalker

08/12/09
BSG Series 4 PX Admiral Cain Action Figure
BSG Series 4 Action Figure Asst (Adama, Roslin, Apollo)
Godfather Minimates Box Set
Marvel Minimates Series 27 Set
Marvel Minimates Series 28 Set

08/19/09
Marvel Select Marvel Girl
Terminator 2 Ultimate Quarter Scale T-800

08/26/09
BSG Cylons - Modern Centurion Action Figure
BSG Cylons - Razor Centurion Action Figure
Marvel Select Kree Mar-Vell
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Phaser Replica
Star Trek TOS Series 5 Action Figure Set
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Jedi Luke Skywalker Figure

SEPTEMBER 2009
09/02/09
BSG Boomer & Athena Action Figure Two-Pack
BSG Starbuck & Leoben Action Figure Two-Pack
Star Trek HD Enterprise 1701 Ship

09/09/09
Ghostbusters Slimer Bank
Star Wars Jedi Council Yoda Bank

09/16/09
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Emperor Palpatine Figure

09/30/09
BSG Razor Cylon Commander PX Action Figure
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Replica Bank
Star Trek TOS Series 5 PX Salt Vampire

OCTOBER 2009
10/28/09
Ghostbusters Ecto1 License Plate Replica
Ghostbusters Minimates PX Glow in the Dark Slimer & Ray Two-Pack
Ghostbusters Minimates Series 2 Box Set
Marvel Minimates Series 29 Set
Marvel Minimates Series 30 Set
Raiders of the Lost Ark Ultimate Quarter Scale Cairo Indiana Jones
Star Trek TOS “Mirror, Mirror” I.S.S. Enterprise Ship
Star Trek TOS Romulan Kirk & Spock AF Two-Pack
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Episode III Obi-Wan Kenobi
Terminator 2 Minimates Series 2 Asst
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ACE BOOKS AND DABEL BROTHERS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO PUBLISH NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR PATRICIA BRIGGS IN COMIC BOOK AND GRAPHIC NOVEL FORMATS



Briggs’s popular Alpha and Omega series to debut as Dabel Brothers comic books in August 2009 followed by the graphic novel from Ace in November 2009


Ace Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), announced today the publication of #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf, Volume 1 in graphic novel form. The Dabel Brothers, who previously partnered with Briggs to create comic adaptations of her bestselling Mercy Thompson series, will now adapt her first Alpha and Omega novel, Cry Wolf, into a comic series starting this summer. Ace Books will then publish a graphic novel edition of the first four installments of the Dabel Brothers comic series this fall. The publication of Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf, Volume 1 marks Ace’s first foray into the graphic novel market.

The Alpha and Omega series grew from a novella of the same title, originally published in the anthology On the Prowl. This story, featuring two popular secondary characters from Briggs’s bestselling Mercy Thompson series, was well received and Briggs decided to spin them off into a new series. The Alpha and Omega series began last year when Ace published the full-length novel Cry Wolf and will continue this August when a follow-up novel Hunting Ground hits bookstores.

“We already have a great relationship established with Patricia and are excited to be working with Penguin on this project," said Rich Young, Business Director of Dabel Brothers Publishing. "We think that this will be the start of another great relationship.”

The Dabel Brothers will release the first issue of Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf in August followed by three more issues to complete the first volume.

Then in November 2009, Ace will release Alpha and Omega: Cry Wolf, Volume 1, a graphic novel composed of issues 1 through 4 of the Cry Wolf comics.

“I’m so excited to work with the Dabel Brothers on the graphic novel adaptation of Patricia Briggs’s novel Cry Wolf. Their work is stunning and I know they’ll do her story justice. I can’t wait to bring the werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham to life through comics as well as in novels,” said Executive Editor Anne Sowards.

Patricia Briggs is the author of 14 novels as well as several short stories, all in the fantasy genre. She is best known for her New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson series. Bone Crossed, the fourth installment in this series—and the first to be published in hardcover—hit bookstores in February 2009 to rave reviews and spent several weeks on national bestseller lists.


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