Dark Horse Comics Unveils Exclusive Comic Book Experience™ Application for ePlate™ Mobile Payment Devices

Dark Horse Comics Unveils Exclusive Comic Book Experience™ Application for ePlate™ Mobile Payment Devices
Dark Horse Gives Dynamics’ ePlate Users Exclusive Comic Book Content with Each Purchase

APRIL 19, SAN FRANCISCO, CA–Dark Horse Comics makes history again today with the announcement of a revolutionary new partnership with Dynamics Inc. Dynamics is an innovator in next-generation payment devices, and will now launch a new comic book experience application for ePlate™ mobile payment devices. The innovative offering brings a new kind of experience to comic book fans by enabling them to earn access to exclusive Dark Horse digital comics with every purchase made with the ePlate™ device. This groundbreaking technology will link payment devices with exclusive Dark Horse comic content, and empower consumers to engage with Dark Horse and other brands that excite them with every swipe or online purchase.

At any time, users can decide to use the Dark Horse Experience™ application for the ePlate™ payment device. The Dark Horse application allows users to earn pages of exclusive Dark Horse comic books with each purchase. After all pages of a particular comic are obtained, the user is provided with a complete digital comic. After a certain number of digital comic books are collected, Dark Horse provides, at no cost to the user, a collectible print copy of each exclusive comic book earned. Users will be able to earn comic books faster with purchases made at Dark Horse affiliates, sponsors, and retail outlets. At any time, a user can also decide to earn Dark Horse credits instead of exclusive content so that the user can earn any product from DarkHorse.com.

“Dark Horse is always looking for new ways to expand the comics-reading audience,” said Mike Richardson, president and founder of Dark Horse Comics. “Our new partners at Dynamics have created a platform which gives not only existing comics fans, but a wide variety of consumers, the ability to obtain exclusive Dark Horse content just by making day-to-day purchases.”

“Dark Horse hit the nail on the head with its Experience™ application,” said Jeff Mullen, CEO of Dynamics. “Dark Horse Experience leverages unique content—available nowhere else—and provides participating merchants with an exciting promotional tool to attract customers.”

For additional information, see DEMO’s article on Forbes.com.

About Dynamics ePlate™ Mobile Payment Device

Dynamics’ ePlate™ mobile payment device is a paper-thin, flexible computing platform in a payment card form factor. The device includes the Electronic Stripe®—the world’s first fully card-programmable magnetic stripe. The Electronic Stripe® can be read at any existing point-of-sale (POS) magnetic stripe reader. The device includes two buttons—one for a first experience and one for a second experience. Based on what button was selected, the device changes the information on the Electronic Stripe™ to reflect the selected experience so the user can swipe the card in any store and enjoy the selected experience.

A user can change the experiences associated with the buttons on the ePlate™ device at any time. All a user has to do is use Dynamics’ Experience Manager™ software through their favorite phone, or accessible through their bank’s website. Dynamics’ Experience Manager™ will provide a list of experiences that a user can select and associate with the different buttons on the ePlate™ device.

The ePlate™ device is as durable as a traditional payment card and will last over four years on a single battery charge. The technology does not require any change to the 60 million 1970s-era magnetic stripe readers or reeducation of its merchant base.

About Dynamics Inc.

Dynamics Inc. was founded in 2007 by Jeff Mullen. Dynamics produces and manufactures intelligent powered payment cards and advanced payment platforms. The company has won many of the world’s most prestigious international business plan competitions, including the Rice Business Plan Competition, Carnegie Mellon McGinnis Venture Competition and the University of San Francisco Business Plan Competition. The company won DEMOgod and the $1M People’s Choice Award at DEMO Fall 2010, Best of Show at FinovateFall 2010, FinovateFall 2011, and FinovateEurope 2012, and Best of Show at BAI Retail Delivery 2011. Dynamics won Best in Show for Personal Electronics and Technology Honors at the 2012 International CES show. Dynamics investors include Adams Capital Management and Bain Capital Ventures. Dynamics is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. For more information, visit: www.poweredcards.com.

About Dark Horse

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful properties as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

ARTIFACTS ONLINE AND ONGOING

Top Cow invites readers to discover Artifacts of the digital age

Image Comics and Top Cow Productions, Inc. are excited to reveal that ARTIFACTS will be serialized as a new feature on the front page of topcow.com absolutely free for fans as announced at Emerald City Comicon 2012.

Beginning Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, fans will be able to go to Top Cow’s homepage and read one page per week for free. During the debut week, there will be three new pages of ARTIFACTS for fans to read. A new page will be posted every subsequent Tuesday.

From Top Cow Universe architect RON MARZ (WITCHBLADE, SHINKU) and Top Cow superstar artist MICHAEL BROUSSARD (THE DARKNESS) comes the event series that shook the Top Cow Universe to its foundation.

"Given my very vocal feelings about online piracy of comics, maybe people will be surprised to hear that I absolutely love the idea of giving away content,” commented writer Marz. “Artifacts #1 was written to be a ground-floor read, asking only curiosity from the audience, not requiring any knowledge of the Top Cow Universe or characters. You learn everything you need to know in the story. I absolutely believe a big part of comics' future is digital, so this is another step toward that future. All I've ever asked is that the people who own and/or create content be the ones who decide whether or not to give away their content. It's great that a publisher is choosing to do just that."

Thirteen mystical Artifacts, including the Witchblade, the Darkness and others, guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it's been whispered that bringing together all 13 Artifacts would herald mankind's destruction. But a mysterious figure has been manipulating events, laying plans to put Armageddon into motion. The final phase begins here, with the abduction of Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado. What ensues will remake the entirety of the Top Cow Universe, from the Witchblade and the Darkness, to the Angelus, Magdalena, and even Cyberforce.

ARTIFACTS will debut on the front page of topcow.com on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012.

A STRING OF SELL OUTS FOR THIEF OF THIEVES

Robert Kirkman's latest series gets multiple reprints

THIEF OF THIEVES #3, published by Skybound/Image Comics, has sold out at the distributor level just like the second issue. The first issue sold out on the first day of release. A second printing (MAR128105) will be in stores on May 5, the same day as THIEF OF THIEVES #4.

More and more readers are snatching up this action-packed crime noir, so the first issue has also been returned to print yet again. The third printing of THIEF OF THIEVES #1 (MAR128105) is available for order immediately and will also be stores in stores on May 5.

"We are bringing heist stories to readers with a new twist by showing the humanity of all of the characters, including the criminals," said THIEF OF THIEVES creator/writer Robert Kirkman, "and we couldn't be happier that people seem to be enjoying it as much as we are."

The new ongoing series, written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer with art by Shawn Martinbrough, is a runaway hit, requiring multiple reprints for every issue thus far. Following the announcement last week that AMC will be adapting the series for TV with Kirkman and David Alpert in their same capacity as Executive Producers on THE WALKING DEAD, and Chic (DEXTER, THE SHIELD) Eglee as Executive Producer and showrunner, orders and anticipation are expected to continue to rise even higher.

THIEF OF THIEVES is about a master thief who leaves behind his life in the high-stakes world of crime to try to return to being a family man. Each 32-page full-color issue is available for purchase and reorder in comic book stores and on multiple digital platforms.

C2E2 Late Edition Dark Horse Announces WILLOW Series

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES WILLOW SERIES!

JOSS WHEDON’S FAN FAVORITE RETURNS!

APRIL 18, MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics announces another exciting addition to the Buffyverse:

Willow gets her own miniseries!

Written by Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts, Agents of Atlas) and drawn by Brian Ching (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Witchblade), Willow tells the story of the witch’s obsessive journey to recover her magic.

Willow is on a quest to bring magic back to the world, and she’ll do anything to make it happen, including forming some unhealthy alliances after cracking the code to travel to other dimensions—something thought impossible since the destruction of the Seed.

Willow #1 is on sale November 21, 2012.

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products

A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third-party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

C2E2 Late Edition: Dark Horse Announces SPIKE Series

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES SPIKE SERIES!

JOSS WHEDON’S ANTIHERO VAMPIRE RETURNS!

APRIL 18, MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics announces a brand-new Spike miniseries slated for release this summer!

Written by Victor Gischler (X-Men, Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth) and drawn by Paul Lee (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Devil’s Footprints), Spike promises to be the series all Joss Whedon fans will be talking about.

Spike ventures off world in his bug ship in order to get away from some personal frustration on terra firma, and winds up sucked into a demonic plot to take advantage of the absence of magic on earth.

“What I love about working with Dark Horse on Buffy-related material is that they take great care to capture the feel of the characters and stories from the television show, of which I was a huge fan. Getting my hands on the characters I’ve loved so much over the years is a dream come true,” said Gischler.

Spike #1 will be on sale August 22, 2012!

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products

A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third-party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

New Star Trek Game Trailer & Concept Art

With the Star Trek sequel on the way pretty soon, the game is in development and we have the trailer and concept art for all the Star Trek fans out there. The game is third person shooter so far, and it looks pretty cool. Stay tune for more details soon.

NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE & HIS NINJA PALS Debuts Today VIZAnime.com and Hulu

Here is some news from our good friends at Viz Media.

The super-deformed anime NARUTO SPIN-OFF: ROCK LEE & HIS NINJA PALS debuts today VIZAnime.com and Hulu - this is NARUTO like you've never seen it before! Starring Rock Lee, the ninja who actually can't use ninjutsu, you'll fall in love with the cute antics of all your favorite ninja favorites! 
Rock Lee may not be able to use ninjutsu, but that doesn't stop him from aspiring to become a great shinobi! What he lacks he makes up for with his undying passion and training... Under the guidance of his super-awesome sensei, Guy, and with the reluctant support of teammates Tenten and Neji, Rock Lee will make himself known to the world! 

New episodes debut on VIZAnime.com and Hulu every Tuesday, two weeks after broadcast debut in Japan! Once you watch, you're sure to fall in love with Rock Lee and all his ninja friends!

Tim Burton to Judge Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Art Competition for 20th Century Fox

Hey Otakus & Geeks here is a really cool contest from 20th Century Fox and Tim Burton! Read details below. 

Think you have what it takes to impress Tim Burton?

You could win a private midnight screening in your hometown!

20^th Century Fox challenges fans to depict their allegiance to either our patriotic hero Lincoln or to villainous vampires through creative illustrations.  The five top entries will be presented to the famed director, who will then pick the grand-prize winner!

Whether submitting their own art, voting on the submissions or viewing and sharing the artwork, fans are invited to participate in this hunt for the best candidates!

All styles are encouraged; cartoon, photo, paint, sculpture, graphic design etc.

Real or imagined, we leave the vision and interpretation up to the artist.

 

CONTEST RULES

Submit your own pro-patriot or pro-vampire artwork to the gallery at www.Facebook.com/Vampirehunter  

All Submissions due by May 12, 2012

Popular vote will decide the top five finalists

The winning finalists will be selected by Tim Burton

One Grand Prize Winner will receive a private midnight screening

Four runner-ups will receive a Tim Burton signed movie poster

Fairy Tail Review

It is now time for a review of the ever so popular anime Fairy Tail!!!!!!


Fairy Tail is a story about a guild named the Fairy Tail Guild and the members that is in it. They all reside in the Kingdom of Fiore. There are other guilds that are around that have a play with Fairy Tail but no spoilers. Here is a character overture of the Fairy Tail Guild.












Natsu and Happy the Cat

Natsu is a fire wizard and one of the best wizards in Fairy Tale. Although he is different from other fire wizards: He has the ability of breathing, eating and wielding fire like a dragon! He is accompanied by his flying blue cat Happy who is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. He is Natsu's right hand man and best friend. He has the power to fly and loves to say "Aye" once in a while.


Lucy

Lucy is a spunky teen who got her wish of becoming part of Fairy Tail. She is a Celestial Wizard. She uses keys that summon "Celestial Beings" that seem to attribute to horoscope signs. She tries to keep Natsu in line and is a very sweet girl.



Grey

Grey is one of the strongest wizards with Natsu and Ezra. Grey is an Ice Wizard and because Natsu is a Fire Wizard, they get into altercations from time to time. Fire and ice don't mix after all. He has the habit of taking off his clothes..... I still don't know why but hey, I'm not complaining. He has a silly side especially when Natsu and him fight in front of Erza. They become buddies instantly since they know how Erza is.


Erza

Erza is a very serious young lady. She completes the strongest Fairy Tail team and is the roughest girl wizard around. She uses equip magic called "The Knight". She can transform into different types of armor that can perform different abilities including the weapons. Mess with Erza you'll get the bull and the horns.

So what do I think about this series? I love it. I immediately gravitate towards these types of animes. This is one people should have in their library's. It is fun, lighthearted, action-packed, serious and awesome! The voice acting is top-notched.Of course Funimation provided us with the voices of Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh, Colleen Clickenbeard, Newton Pittman and many more. They all are doing an awesome job.  I give this anime an A. Please go and support and buy everything Fairy Tail!!  Fairy Tail Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!  ^-^

Sakura Matsuri :: A Centennial

As always, I'm in random places gathering alllll types of inspiration.. This weekend was no different as we celebrated "One hundred years of the gift if trees" at the National Cherry Blossom parade and Sakura Festival. 

Some of my favorite shops were out and about selling goods, including Stuffed Sushi & I Heart Guts. If you HAVE NOT checked these brands out, please do! You won't EVER be sorry. 

The synopsis is a very abbreviated one. It was great! The fashion was fun so, of course, street snaps happened. I also became a ninja and met a new friend. It's ALL here, I swear! Just scroll down ;-D

 

The street snaps were THE most fun since it was like an anime convention in the streets with lots of cosplay and Japanese street fashion. I got to talk to a lot of people & smile & say thank you & smile ... LOL Really, it was just good vibes and a great day to say "Can I share your look with people?!" Check 'em out!

  

  

  

  

OH! And about me becoming a ninja ... I SO did that! We've got video to prove it BUT when you see it don't laugh. All ninja have to start somewhere ... that's the Ninja Code (i think?! LOL) Really, it was a horribe mess and I am not fit for such line of work, but you can judge for yourself ;-D 

    

Last but not least, that random friend I met is right here! Unfortunately, she didn't speak much English and I don't speak Spanish, but all in all, we both understood "I love you" and we exchanged information. Sounds silly with a major communication barrier, but we both agreed to try to keep in touch. For what? ... even I don't know, but she was so kind, and randomly, that not putting forth an effort would just be silly.

Now for the big question ... How do they celebrate the gift of trees where you live?

Til next time!

~je t'adore! <3 IKB

New York International Autoshow 2012 Pictures

This weekend I went to the New York International Autoshow. Here are some pics of some of my favorite cars that I saw.

Richardson and Sakai Team Up For 47 RONIN

RICHARDSON & SAKAI TEAM UP FOR 47 RONIN!

APRIL 12, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a historical comic adaptation of the tale of the 47 ronin: A story of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor.

Written by Dark Horse president Mike Richardson and drawn by multiple Eisner Award winner Stan Sakai, 47 Ronin tells the tale of a daimyo (feudal lord) who was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) and his samurai-turned-ronin who avenged his wrongful death.

“I’ve been fascinated with this story from the earliest days of Dark Horse, visiting the significant locations and doing research during my trips to Japan. For years I’ve been looking for just the right artist and it finally dawned on me that he was right here at Dark Horse,” said Mike Richardson. “Stan Sakai is a master storyteller who knows the material, and his artistic interpretation is perfect for the story. What’s more, my friend, legendary manga writer Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub), has served as editorial consultant for the project.”

47 Ronin marks the first time Stan Sakai has collaborated extensively with another writer. He promises stylized artwork in the vein of traditional Japanese woodblock prints—one of the most popular depictions of the 47 ronin.

“I have known the 47 Ronin story about all my life, and I paid a pilgrimage to their gravesite when I was in Japan in 2009. This is a significant event in Japanese history, and when Mike asked me to illustrate the story I jumped at the chance. I’m known for the research I do, but I was amazed at the research and knowledge Mike already had. I’m having a blast with this,” said Stan Sakai.

47 Ronin will be on comic stands November 2012. Watch solicitations for more details!

Mike Oeming's WILD ROVER Rips Through Dark Horse Presents

MIKE OEMING’S WILD ROVER RIPS THROUGH DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

APRIL 11, MILWAUKIE, OR—The latest apologue to debut in Dark Horse Comics’ legendary anthology brings out the darker side: Michael Avon Oeming’s Wild Rover!

Wild Rover premieres in Dark Horse Presents #14 (a 104-page giant issue!). The two-part tale provides a very intense and interesting look through the comic medium at addiction and dealing with alcoholism.

“I’ve been a fan of Dark Horse Presents since I was a kid—it’s where I learned about artists like Moebius and my first exposure to creator owned works, which exploded later with the Legend line,” said Oeming. “I’m proud to launch the first of my ‘true-fiction’ stories with Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents. Though told through fantasy, much of it is based on my experiences or those that my mother has gone through. I could only trust Dark Horse Presents with such things.”

Oeming received the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2001 for his work on Powers. He also received the Eagle Award in 2006 for Favorite Writer/Artist. In addition to Wild Rover, Dark Horse has announced Oeming will be writing and drawing a very adult superhero adventure series, The Victories, to be released later this year.

Check out Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents #14, on sale July 18!

Dark Horse Digital and TNT Partner for Season Two FALLING SKIES COMIC

DARK HORSE DIGITAL and TNT Partner for Season Two FALLING SKIES COMIC

APRIL 11, MILWAUKIE, OR–TNT and Dark Horse Comics have partnered again for the Falling Skies season two digital comic. The comic will be available beginning April 18 on FallingSkies.com and Dark Horse Digital. TNT’s epic drama Falling Skies, basic cable’s number-one new series of last year, chronicles the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. Season two will premiere with back-to-back episodes on Sunday, June 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

Dark Horse Comics began working with TNT over a year ago, publishing a free webcomic prequel to Falling Skies. The inaugural comic quickly sold out and was a fan favorite in advance of the series premiere. The upcoming digital comic series, Falling Skies: The Battle of Fitchburg, chronicles what happens to the Second Mass in the three months between when season one ends and season two picks up. With an army of skitters closing in, and the group sustaining heavy losses, the Second Mass shields itself in an armory in Fitchburg ready to finish the battle once and for all. Falling Skies: The Battle of Fitchburg will be released as free eight-page, biweekly comics featuring art by Juan Ferreyra (Rex Mundi) and scripts by Paul Tobin (Marvel Adventures: Fantastic Four, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man). Fans can get a sneak peek of the animated trailer by visiting EW’s Shelf Life!

This season will continue its extraordinary story about life and survival in the wake of a catastrophic alien invasion. Noah Wyle (ER) stars as Tom Mason, a former college professor and father of three, who has become an unlikely leader for the Second Massachusetts civilian resistance group. Falling Skies comes to TNT from DreamWorks Television and is executive produced by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank. Remi Aubuchon, Greg Beeman, and Robert Rodat are also executive producers. Fans can find the latest Falling Skies news online at FallingSkies.com and via @FallingSkiesTNT on Twitter.

In its debut season, TNT’s Falling Skies averaged more than 6.9 million viewers, 3.3 million adults 18–49 and 3.7 million adults 25–54 to rank as basic cable’s number-one new series of 2011. On the international front, Falling Skies premiered in more than 115 global markets, achieving hit status in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Latin America, among others. The premiere of Falling Skies also ranks as the biggest series launch ever for TNT networks in Spain, Germany, and Austria.

About TNT

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy^® winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle; Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Southland, from Emmy-winning producer John Wells, as well as the upcoming series Major Crimes, Dallas, Perception and The Great Escape. TNT also is the cable home to powerful dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and, starting this year, Castle; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards^®; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

AMERICA'S GOT A SELL OUT

Jonathan Ross & Bryan Hitch's new series gets 2nd printing

The first issue of Image Comics' AMERICA'S GOT POWERS, by TV personality and comic book scribe Jonathan Ross (TURF) and the legendary artist Bryan Hitch (The Authority, The Ultimates), has sold out at the distributor level.

The first issue of this colorful new hit series that combines the entertainment world's make-or-break reality show zeitgeist with the colorful, action-packed superhero genre is already being reprinted to meet demand. The second printing (FEB128169) will be on shelves May 9th, with AMERICA'S GOT POWERS #2 following just one week after on May 16th.

"AMERICA'S GOT POWERS marks a huge turning point for me as my first creator owned series," Hitch commented. "The response has been overwhelming and there are so many other people to thank for helping to make the book such a success. I'm truly grateful to be telling the stories I'm passionate about and immensely proud that AGP has been greeted so warmly and so many have responded so kindly to Tommy and his fellow powered teens. Believe me, in this series and beyond, the best is still to come!"

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS is the story of the most successful TV show on Earth, a reality show of super-powered proportions. In AMERICA'S GOT POWERS, a generation of super-powered teens struggle to prove their worth while the whole world watches.

THE SECRET'S OUT

New series by Manhattan Projects creator gets 2nd printing

The first issue of SECRET, Jonathan Hickman's second creator-owned series published by Image Comics this year, has sold out at the distributor level. SECRET #1, which is drawn by Ryan Bodenheim, will be in stores on April 11. The second printing (FEB128171) will be on the shelves the same day as SECRET #2, May 9.

"Well, I couldn't be happier for Ryan. He's worked extremely hard on this project, and together we think we've delivered an extremely interesting, and timely, tale," explained Hickman. "That retailers and fans are as excited for the book as we are, only makes the entire experience more rewarding."

A complex tale of private security firms, government corruption, and conspiracy, SECRET comes out a month after Hickman's new series with Nick Pitarra THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS sold out of its first issue.

Hickman and Bodenheim previously collaborated on the superhero series RED MASS FOR MARS.

Peter Parker Meets Miles Morales In June in "Spider-Men"

This June, it’s time for Peter Parker, better known as the Amazing Spider-Man, to cross worlds and meet Miles Morales…the all-new Spider-Man? Marvel is proud to announce Spider-Men, an all-new five issue landmark story from award-winning author Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers VS. X-Men, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man), red-hot artist Sara Pichelli (Ultimate Comics Spider-Man) and acclaimed cover artist Jim Cheung (Avengers VS. X-Men), which brings Peter Parker and Miles Morales together for the first time. That’s right, the Spider-Man from two different realities—the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Comics Universe—bring their worlds together for a battle no one web-head could win!

When Spider-Man tracks down one of his deadliest villains, he suddenly finds himself thrust into another world where Peter Parker is dead…and there’s a new Spider-Man in town. As these two heroes learn the truth about their identities and their universes, they’ll embark on a journey that’ll leave them forever changed—and reveal a startling truth about a key player in the Spider-Man mythos!

“This year is the 50th anniversary of Spider-Man and we’re so happy that the stars aligned for us to tell a Spider-Man story that nobody has ever seen before,” said Bendis. “It’s an honor and a privilege to present both this story and these characters to fans on such an auspicious occasion. The work Sara has done on Spider-Men is a step above the already high standard that she has set for herself on our Ultimate Comics Spider-Man series. For me, this is a celebration of the best character in mainstream comics and some of the best art mainstream comics has to offer.”

Each issue of Spider-Men features variants covers by some of the biggest names in comics including Humberto Ramos  (Amazing Spider-Man), Mike Deodato (New Avengers), Marcos Martin (Amazing Spider-Man), Terry Dodson (Avenging Spider-Man), Travis Charest (Captain America) and Sara Pichelli.

"Knowing how much Brian loves and respects Spider-Man, there’s no way I wouldn’t want to work on Spider-Men with him,” said Sara Pichelli. “It’s going to be an explosive celebration of Spider-Man’s 50^th anniversary—are you ready?”

In 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15, the world first met Peter Parker and saw him become the hero Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe. Soon after, Spider-Man became a pop culture sensation, launching multiple television series, blockbuster films and some of the most popular comics of all time. Then in 2011, Marvel introduced Miles Morales, a new character of African American and Hispanic descent, who became Spider-Man in the Ultimate Comics Universe after that world’s Peter Parker perished.

“This is one of the biggest stories in Marvel history,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “Peter Parker and Miles Morales are two of our most popular characters and fans have been clamoring for them to meet—we’ve got quite a few surprises in store for both characters. This is only the beginning of how we’re celebrating Spider-Man’s spectacular 50^th Anniversary.”

This June, swing into action with world’s most amazing super heroes in Spider-Men #1.

Infinite Stratos Review

Ten years ago, the development of the revolutionary Infinite Stratos powered exoskeleton changed the world's balance of power overnight. Unfortunately, while the distribution of IS systems to every nation on Earth HAS ushered in a new era of peace, the fact that only women have thus far been able to pilot the Stratos systems has sent the relationship between the XX and XY-chromosomed halves of the human race into a spiraling tailspin! So when fifteen-year-old Ichika Orimura is suddenly discovered to be the first male with the ability to control an IS, whatever plans he might have had for his own future are tossed out the window even as he's thrown to the wolves and enrolled at the otherwise entirely female Infinite Stratos Academy by order of the Japanese government! It's One Boy Vs. All the Girls as Ichika get taken for a ride on some serious heavy metal in INFINITE STRATOS.