press release:
Tuesday, Marvel announced a sell-out and new printing of their big summer event. The publisher announced today that House of M #1 is sold-out at Diamond, two weeks before going on-sale June 1st, and that a reprint edition is now being offered.
The House of M #1 Coipel Gatefold Limited Edition will feature a gatefold cover, the House of M poster/”group shot” by series artist Olivier Coipel, at no extra increase in the series’ cover price of $2.99.
The new edition is scheduled to arrive in stores June 29th, one week after House of M #2. Retailers have until Thursday, 6/9 to place orders. Quantities will be limited, however, and in their announcement Marvel encouraged retailers to place orders as soon as possible to ensure getting copies.
"Orders on House of M #1 continue to pour in to Diamond after record-breaking initial numbers,” said Marvel Director of Sales David Gabriel. “We've exceeded our available copies, so we're thrilled to go back to press for this special printing. We told retailers and fans that there would be copies available on this issue and we are going to live up to that promise."
press release:
THE MARVEL UNIVERSE IS HIS PLAYGROUND! ARTIST ALAN DAVIS SWITCHES GEARS & BRINGS HIS UNCANNY TALENTS TO A FANTASTIC FOUR LIMITED SERIES!
There’s good news and there’s bad news: the bad news is that super-star artist Alan Davis is leaving UNCANNY X-MEN…the good news is that he’s sealing the fates of the Fantastic Four instead!
Heading into a new, shiny future means leaving the group of heroes Davis has enjoyed working with so thoroughly, fan-favorites The X-Men. Alas, the artist puts his patented bright face on the whys and wherefores of the move. “I was playing Scrabble with my Uncle Xander when his pet hamster leapt onto the board and kicked the tiles around. It was weird . . . the letters were rearranged and spelt out 'UNC X QUIT NOW'.
Well, Uncle Xander's pretty self-centered so thought the hamster intended the message for him but I knew it was for me... And you just can't ignore that kind of advice from a literate hamster.”
What is that shiny future, though? What could Alan Davis do to top Wolverine, Cyclops, & Co.? “FANTASTIC FOUR: THE END. Nuff said,” he reports, with appropriate finality. “I'm pretty damn excited about getting to draw the FF again.”Davis is no stranger to dynamic projects in the larger-than-life super-heroic world, having kept up an incredible artistic pace through his professional career, beginning in 1981 with the famous “Marvel UK” imprint of the House of Ideas. He has since gone on to explore every single corner of the Marvel stable of characters and he has gathered a résumé to make others in the comic field green with envy. Davis’ past projects include NEW MUTANTS, EXCALIBUR, UNCANNY X-MEN, CLANDESTINE, FANTASTIC FOUR, AVENGERS, and the adjective-less X-MEN.“Alan Davis has worked on the entire freakin’ Marvel U!” quips Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. “He’s probably drawn every single one of our characters, from Ant-Man to Zemo and all parts in-between! Figured he liked us so much we better keep him around, keep him off the streets, livin’ clean, working on our premier heroes, the FF, and give somebody else a chance to draw UNCANNY…now if we could only get Alan to stop talking so funny!”
He may talk “funny” but British Isles-born Davis is also characteristically humble about his past work in the four-color medium. “There are odd pages, covers, sequences of storytelling but I've never been totally happy with anything I have worked on. I always hope the next job will be better.”
His inspirations in terms of themes and creators are also incredibly varied. “My favourite character(s) is(are) usually the one(s) I'm working on, having said that, I do have a preference for certain visual incarnations or versions of characters. Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four, Wally Wood or Gene Colan's Daredevil, Gil Kane's Spider-Man, George Tuska's Iron Man, Barry Smith's Conan, John Buscema's Thor, Avengers and Silver Surfer, Neal Adams’ Inhumans and early X-Men and John Byrne on too much to mention.”When asked what being exclusive with industry-leader Marvel Comics means to him, prolific penciller Alan Davis doesn’t mince words: “Regular work in an uncertain world,” sayeth he. All the latest on Alan Davis’ new good works and other upcoming Marvel Comics projects can always be found at www.Marvel.Com .
press release:
Ethan Van Sciver And Famous Faces & Funnies Raise $550 For Make-A-Wish Foundation
On Saturday, May 21, Ethan Van Sciver showed up at Famous Faces & Funnies in Melbourne, Florida to sign comic books and sketch for his fans. He was kind enough to donate an amazing piece of art featuring Hal Jordan that FFF sold raffle tickets for. All the money from the raffle as well as one dollar from each Green Lantern Rebirth # 6 and Green Lantern Secret Files we sold this month is going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Together we were able to raise $550 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Please check out www.Wish.org for more info. Thanks to all our customers who stopped by and made the generous donations and thanks again to Ethan Van Sciver for going above and beyond our expectations.
Rick Shea
Famous Faces & Funnies
Melbourne, FL
press release:
Lying In The Gutters Returns As Comic Book Journalism With Major Alan Moore News For years, Rich Johnston of Lying In The Gutters has claimed he was a rumour columnist, not a journalist.
But after the birth of his firstchild, he's changed his mind.
For six weeks he's running Lying In The Gutters (http://litg.comicbookresources.com) as a piece of comic book journalism before allowing readers to vote on its future.
And in his first column, he reports:
Alan Moore dissassociating himself from the V For Vendetta movie Moore pulling League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen from DC to Top Shelf/Knockabout Alan Moore's new novel, Jerusalem, Alan Moore and Melina Gebbie's engagement
Oh, and the creative team on IDW's Transformers series.
Rich Johnston intends to continue LITG in this style as long as his readers let him...
press release:
MasterMinds Unlimited Options Animated Feature ‘MasterMinds’ to Morph/DG Spot; Comics Legend Stan Lee to Voice
Up-and-coming animation house MasterMinds Unlimited(www.masterminds.us) has optioned their first property, MasterMinds,as a feature to the Korean 3D animation giant DG Spot and its production arm, Morph Studio LLC. The deal marks DG Spot’s move into original content production with Morph Studio’s representation after years as a production house for TV and video games. Capping the deal,comics legend Stan Lee has agreed to contribute a voice to the project.
MasterMinds is the story of five freakish felons who have only one thing standing between them and global domination – each other! Led by The Maniacal Monocle, their ranks include: mad scientist Doktor Pimento, giant robot CPU-571, mobster Vinnie DiThug and the mutant monkey Gorilla Kang. Doomed by over-complicated plans and ridiculous infighting, they’re driven by the dream of being able to call the shots for just one day.
“Who doesn’t want to rule the world?” asks MasterMinds co-creator Aaron Sowd. “MasterMinds is a story for everyone who ever wished that Wylie E. Coyote would catch the Road Runner. It’s about five guys who stick to their dreams no matter how utterly misguided those dreams really are.”
Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and countless other titles during his legendary tenure as writer and editor at Marvel Comics, will voice a character on the upcoming project. "Face it! We all love to hate a great supervillian,” Lee said. “ That's why artist/writer Aaron Sowd fiendishly created a wild team of truly twisted bad guys, telling his wacky, way-out tales from the villains' point of view. Why didn't I think of that?"
Sowd was an award-winning art director at Stan Lee Media before starting MasterMinds Unlimited with comics writers James Denning and Lance Karutz. Together, they’ve published three stories in anthologiesby Komikwerks (www.komikwerks.com) and created more than twenty original properties.
Soo-Mi Kim, C.E.O and Creative Director with Morph Studio LLC will serve as an executive producer on the upcoming MasterMinds feature.“The animation teams at DG Spot and Morph Studio produce fantastic work,” says Sowd. “But when we talked to Kim, we knew they really go tour mix of slapstick action and character-driven comedy.”
MasterMinds Unlimited manager Dave Alpert, with Circle of Confusion(www.circleofconfusion.com), brought the deal together in conjunction with Komikwerks. MasterMinds debuted in Komikwerk’s first volume of anthology material. Circle of Confusion is well known for bringing smart genre material to feature and television production, while Komikwerks has been a home for online comics since 2000, and features some of the finest artists in the field today.
The most recent Komikwerks volume, Rockets and Robots, featuresanother MasterMinds Unlimited property, Sally Samson, Super Sitter.Two more MasterMinds Unlimited original properties will debut in thesubsequent volume, which will be released in July, at Comic-Con International.
Initial production on MasterMinds will begin this summer. Terms of the deal were not released.
MFORMA Group, Inc. and leading global entertainment licensing company Marvel Enterprises, Inc. signed a licensing agreement that will bring Marvel's catalog of world famous entertainment brands to mobile phone users throughout the world. This landmark agreement was announced today by Daniel Kranzler, MFORMA CEO, and Tim Rothwell and Bruno Maglione, presidents, respectively, of Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products and Marvel International.
The agreement calls for MFORMA to publish an extensive portfolio of mobile entertainment products based on many of Marvel's iconic characters as they appear in movies, television, video games and comic books which will be available in all domestic and international territories, except for Japan. As part of the agreement, MFORMA will co-publish selected Marvel-based mobile games with Activision, one of the world's leading video game publishers. Activision brings a rich heritage of developing, publishing, and marketing blockbuster video games based on popular brands, including Marvel's major properties. The MFORMA/Marvel multi-year global product plan identifies mobile entertainment applications of every kind and represents one of the most far-reaching publishing programs seen in the mobile industry.
"Nothing like this has ever before been done in mobile," said Daniel Kranzler, MFORMA CEO. "Today, the market and mobile technology has matured to the point that a deal of this magnitude is possible. We have spent the last year expanding and building our global distribution and production capabilities so that we can serve the needs of an entertainment powerhouse like Marvel. Marvel brands routinely turn gold at the box office and in console gaming and they will do the same in mobile around the world-in Europe, North and South America, and most of Asia. We are pleased beyond words to be working with Marvel and Activision on this fantastic and perfectly-timed opportunity to catapult mobile entertainment to mainstream status all over the world."
Marvel's instantly recognizable characters represent one of the world's most powerful brand franchises. The Marvel/MFORMA relationship will bring the entire universe of classic Marvel characters (with the exception of The Punisher family of characters) to hundreds of millions of mobile phone users worldwide. This includes such world renowned heroes as Spider-Man , X-Men , Fantastic Four , Incredible Hulk , Captain America , Daredevil , Iron Man , Blade , Ghost Rider , Elektra and many more of Marvel's more than 5,000 characters. The MFORMA/Marvel product lineup runs the full gamut of mobile entertainment products, including action, adventure, RPG and trading card games, images, screensavers, graphics, ring tones, voice tones, mobile greeting cards, mobile comic books, phone functions, virtual character simulations, and community and lifestyle applications.
In addition to distributing the new Marvel content through MFORMA's global network of more than 100 wireless operators in 39 countries, MFORMA will create and host Marvel Mobile, a branded wireless and online website featuring informational, promotional and transactional links to all Marvel Mobile content. Marvel Mobile will have its home on the Internet within www.marvel.com. Subscribers to the Marvel Mobile channel will have access to all Marvel Mobile products, plus unique community applications and features, special collectible items, Marvel news alerts and chat rooms, fan clubs and mobile commerce options that will open up access to all of the activity taking place in the Marvel Universe.
"Mobile is a major new entertainment medium and our objective all along has been to enter this new space on a grand scale with an ambitious partner capable of putting together a holistic program across the various developing technologies and applications in the wireless space. We believe MFORMA is capable of delivering on that objective and we are thrilled to be working with them," commented Tim Rothwell, president of Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products.
Bruno Maglione, president of Marvel International added: "Wireless entertainment has been talked about for several years now, but we have really seen the industry starting to break into the mainstream in this past year and we expect that trend to continue into 2005 and beyond. Accordingly, the timing is right for Marvel to develop its presence in this medium especially as our brands synch perfectly with the most popular emerging applications and the user profile we see developing. With MFORMA as our partner, we expect success for Marvel brands in wireless just as we have achieved in the video game arena."
"Marvel will be a force in mobile, just as they have been a force in every other medium they have entered," said Matt Edelman, MFORMA's SVP of publishing and architect of the deal. "Our existing Marvel-branded mobile offering based on X-Men, which was co-published with Activision, has been very successful and I see that the possibilities of what we can create and deliver based on Marvel's rich, diverse, and fascinating set of characters are endless. The built-in audience is huge and global, and we will provide something for everyone. Our plan is expansive and includes every form of mobile entertainment so we can establish each Marvel property as a mobile franchise in its own right."
Activision and MFORMA will co-publish key titles based on rights Activision had previously acquired from Marvel. The two will jointly publish mobile games based on Spider-Man , X-Men , Fantastic Four and Iron Man . The agreement between MFORMA and Activision extends a pre-existing agreement and collaboration that successfully brought Marvel's X-Men to wireless last year in the form of a mobile video game based on the highly successful X-Men movie sequel, "X2" by Twentieth Century Fox. Activision's Marvel-branded video games have proven to be enormously successful, selling more than 15 million copies since 2001.
"Our strategic alliance with Marvel has resulted in some of the most successful Super Hero video games ever," said Dave Anderson, senior director of business development, Activision, Inc. "The co-publishing relationship with MFORMA strengthens Activision's commitment to the super hero genre and allows us to continue developing exceptional Marvel-based games for mobile phone users worldwide."
Marvel franchises will have a significant presence in the film and video game worlds well into the future, and MFORMA, Marvel and Activision will collaborate to leverage each and every important media event. The first products to be delivered under the agreement will be a suite of mobile products based on the Blade Trinity film from New Line Cinema, which is to be released in theaters on December 8, 2004. In January 2005, a second suite of products based on the movie Elektra by New Regency/Twentieth Century Fox will be introduced. In the summer, another suite of products based on the upcoming blockbuster "Fantastic Four" from Twentieth Century Fox and a corresponding video game from Activision will join the lineup. Additional titles coming in the near future include products based on Incredible Hulk, to be released in conjunction with a video game from Vivendi Universal Games, and Ultimate Spider-Man, tied into a next-generation video game from Activision. MFORMA and Marvel will collaborate on marketing programs to help promote the availability of Marvel mobile products to consumers worldwide.
"Mobile entertainment has been successful thus far because it has evolved to take advantage of not only the advancing technology of mobile phones, but also the advancing interests of mobile users who are always looking for the next big thing," said Edelman. "Marvel Mobile represents the next big thing and we believe mobile users will love what they find there."
Added Kranzler, "We are pleased to be Marvel's exclusive mobile publishing partner for a majority of its characters, enabling them to have their brands published around the world in all forms of mobile content. We have reached a level of global distribution capability today where it is possible to handle publishing and distribution for Marvel and other global brand holders such as Activision and leading movie studios on a truly global basis." For additional information visit the Marvel Web site at www.marvel.com and Mforma at www.mforma.com.
. Season One card set now available.
Following it's cancellation three years prior, Family Guy made its return to Fox on May 1. In honor of the miraculous resurrection, Inkworks has released a 72-card set commemorating Family Guy: Season One.
Each pack contains seven cards and retails for $3.49. Along with Episode Cards highlighting classic moments from the first season, this cool set features a number of randomly-inserted bonus cards. As any collector knows, it's the hidden gems that make a seven-card pack worthwhile. Check out the bonus sets.
Sketch Cards: Fourteen different artists created original hand-drawn sketches for this set. One per box.
Autograph Cards: Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane along with five other cast members signed cards, randomly inserted. Odds of finding Autograph Card unknown.
Griffin Family Photos: This nine-card puzzle reveals a large portrait of the Griffin Family. An additional 99 uncut puzzles are available separately for $69.95 each. 1:11 packs.
Bad Dog: Brian gains the spotlight with six die-cut foil cards showing off the incorrigible hound. 1:17 packs.
Premium Cards: In addition, three box loader "Stewie's Library of World Domination" cards come one per sealed display box and a special case loader "The Peter Principle" card comes one per shipping case.
A complete checklist of cards can be found at Inkworkcards.com.
press release:
Dynamite Entertainment today released images and information concerning more great comics and collectibles featuring the She-Devil with a Sword - Red Sonja!
Shipping in July, The Adventures of Red Sonja Volume 1 is now available for PRE-ORDER from your local comics shop.
"These are the formative tales of the mysterious Red Sonja," explains Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. "Featuring the best writers and artists of their day, these are the stories that help set the foundation for the modern version of Red Sonja that we're telling monthly in our new series. This book is a MUST for any fans bookshelf."
THE ADVENTURES OF RED SONJA VOLUME I: SHE-DEVIL WITH A SWORD TPB
$19.99 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
COVER A: http://www.dynamiteentertainment.co.../p-C103539.html
COVER B: http://www.dynamiteentertainment.co.../p-C103540.html
$19.99 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
Containing the Red Sonja tales from Marvel Feature #1-7, these tales are where it all begins, and help set the stage for the current Red Sonja series from Dynamite! This is a must-have collection of never-before reprinted material. Plus, this volume will feature covers by legendary artist, Frank Brunner!.
Plus, legendary Red Sonja writer and form Marvel Editor-in-Chief, Roy Thomas, provides an introduction!
Continuing its run of sold-out issues, SUPERMAN #214 has sold out at DC Comics. This issue featured the suspenseful penultimate chapter of the "For Tomorrow" storyline by Brian Azzarello, Jim Lee & Scott Williams.
"Both writer Brian Azzarello and I put in a lot of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears into this project, so it's been especially gratifying to see the excitement for SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW build with each consecutive issue," says Lee. "Our hope has always been to challenge readers' perceptions of the Man of Steel while giving them an entertaining story, so I thank the fans and the retailers for their continued support and enthusiasm."
Check out what's happening n the superman titles here.
press release:
NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -May 11, 2005 - Navarre Corporation, a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products, today announced that it has acquired all general and limited partnership interests in FUNimation Productions, Ltd. and The FUNimation Store, Ltd.
FUNimation, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is recognized as a leading licensor and home video distributor of Japanese animation and entertainment for children and young adults. FUNimation titles include Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Yu Yu Hakusho, Case Closed and Fullmetal Alchemist. FUNimation has enjoyed broadcast success with 15 titles currently airing on networks including Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. FUNimation leverages its proprietary licensed content into various revenue streams including television broadcast, DVD home video, toys, video games, and trading cards. In addition to the home video distribution and third-party licensing, FUNimation also engages in third-party marketing, sales and distribution agreements with content providers, including 4Kids Entertainment Inc., Nelvana, Alliance Atlantis, Chorion, WGBH, Cookie Jar Group, Porchlight Entertainment and Mainframe Entertainment. Since January 1, 2005, FUNimation has signed product license agreements including Noddy, Winx, Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7, My Dad the Rock Star, and a co-production agreement with sports icon Tony Hawk.
For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, FUNimation's audited results included net sales of $63.7 million, $81.6 million and $72.4 million, respectively, and pre-tax income of $24.9 million, $30.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively.
Eric Paulson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The acquisition of FUNimation is an exciting transaction for everyone involved - our customers, our two companies and Navarre's shareholders. The FUNimation transaction validates Navarre's corporate strategy, which focuses on continued growth and content ownership through licensing while continuing to leverage our distribution assets." Mr. Paulson continues, "FUNimation brings a wide assortment of high profile brands, combining home video distribution with exciting broadcast and third-party licensing opportunities. Their relationships with content owners, coupled with their brand development skills provide great opportunities across our entire enterprise. Gen Fukunaga and Daniel Cocanougher, the President and Executive Vice President of FUNimation respectively, add additional depth to Navarre's overall management team and we look forward to their ongoing contribution."
Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation Productions Ltd stated, "We are very excited to join the Navarre family. FUNimation will benefit from Navarre's state-of-the-art retail distribution capabilities and Navarre offers FUNimation a capital structure to pursue new product opportunities and business initiatives."
Under the terms of the acquisition, Navarre acquired all general and limited partnership interests of FUNimation for approximately $100,400,000 in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments not to exceed $5.0 million, plus 1,827,486 shares of unregistered Navarre common stock, subject to certain registration rights. Additionally, the sellers could receive up to $17,000,000 in cash to be paid over five-years if FUNimation achieves certain agreed-upon financial targets during that period.
To complete the FUNimation acquisition, Navarre entered into a $165 million credit facility with GE Commercial Finance. This credit facility amends the Company's previously existing lines of credit with GE Commercial Finance. Under this credit facility the Company entered into both a six-year $140 million Term Loan B sub-facility and a five-year revolving sub-facility for up to $25 million. The credit facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Navarre's assets. This facility is prepayable at any time, at the Company's option.
The entire $140 million of the Term Loan B sub-facility was drawn by the Company at closing to finance the initial cash portion of the FUNimation acquisition and associated expenses, with the remaining balance placed into cash reserves for general corporate purposes. The revolving sub-facility will be available to the Company for its working capital and general corporate needs and at the time of closing was undrawn.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. acted as financial advisor to Navarre Corporation in connection with the transaction, and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. acted as financial advisor to FUNimation.
Fiscal Year 2005 and Fourth Quarter Financial Update
With the previously-announced agreement to purchase the remaining twenty percent (20%) ownership interest of its subsidiary Encore Software from Mike Bell, Navarre will recognize approximately $5.8 million of compensation expense in the recently completed fourth quarter of its 2005 fiscal year. In addition, Navarre will realize approximately $600,000 of expenses related to the FUNimation acquisition and an approximate $700,000 of expenses spent on preparation for Sarbanes Oxley compliance in the fourth quarter that ended March 31, 2005. Due to the above-mentioned items the Company anticipates negative earnings for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2005. Based on preliminary figures the Company also anticipates reporting fiscal year 2005 net sales of approximately $600 million. Additionally, the Company's balance sheet as of March 31, 2005 is anticipated to show approximately $15.0 million in cash, $39.0 million in inventory, $95.0 million in net accounts receivable, $96.0 in accounts payable and that the company was operating without bank debt.
Fiscal Year 2006 Guidance
The company expects the FUNimation transaction to be accretive to its fiscal year 2006 results. FUNimation will contribute approximately 10 months worth of operations to Navarre's fiscal year 2006 consolidated financial results. With the consolidation of FUNimation, the company anticipates fiscal 2006 net sales to be between $710 million to $720 million. After anticipated costs related to the FUNimation integration the Company anticipates fiscal 2006 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") to be between $40 million and $45 million or $1.26 to $1.42 of EBITDA per share fully diluted.
About Navarre Corporation
Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR) is a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has recently expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc. and BCI Eclipse Company, LLC. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.navarre.com
Safe Harbor
The statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by these sections. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and the actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the Company's revenues being derived from a small group of customers; the Company's dependence on significant vendors; the Company's dependence upon software developers and manufacturers and popularity of their products; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its exclusive distribution business through agreements with music labels; the Company's dependence upon a key employee and its Founder, namely, Eric H. Paulson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified management personnel; uncertain growth in the publishing segment; the acquisition strategy of the Company, including the successful integration of FUNimation, could disrupt other business segments and/or management; the seasonality and variability in the Company's business and that decreased sales during peak season could adversely affect its results of operations; the Company's ability to meet its significant working capital requirements related to distributing products and financing accounts receivable; the Company's ability to avoid excessive inventory return and obsolescence losses; the potential for inventory values to decline; the Company's credit exposure due to reseller arrangements or negative trends which could cause credit loss; the Company's ability to adequately and timely adjust cost structure for decreased demand; the Company's ability to compete effectively in distribution and publishing, which are highly competitive industries; the Company's dependence on third-party shipping of its product; the Company's dependence on information systems; technological developments, particularly in the electronic downloading arena which could adversely impact sales, margins and results of operations; increased counterfeiting or piracy which could negatively affect demand for the Company's products; the Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property; interruption of the Company's business or catastrophic loss at a facility which could curtail or shutdown its business; the potential for future terrorist activities to disrupt operations or harm assets; significant Company stock volatility; the exercise of outstanding warrants and options adversely affecting stock price; the Company's anti-takeover provision, its ability to issue preferred stock and its staggered board may discourage take-over attempts beneficial to shareholders; because the Company does not intend to pay dividends, stock appreciation may yield the only return on an investment in Company stock; and the Company's directors may not be personally liable for certain actions which may discourage shareholder suits against them. A detailed statement of risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in particular the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. The Company can offer no assurances that any projections, assumptions or forecasts made or discussed in this release, "NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE", dated May 11, 2005, will be met, and investors should understand the risks of investing solely due to such projections. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.
press release:
Devil's Due announces fan & retailer G.I. Joe contests.
Begins spring, culminates in July with release of G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE
To amp up the excitement for the new G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE series, Devil’s Due Publishing (DDP) introduces a variety of contests to fans and retailers alike. Beginning this spring and running through the summer, DDP and G.I. JOE, under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), are bringing the nation together in a number of extraordinary events: fans can enter the G.I. JOE Biggest Fan Contest; retailers can shoot for the Best DDP Retailer Display Contest and participate in G.I. JOE Day on July 4, celebrating the launch of G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE.
In G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE, a year has passed since the events of G.I. JOE #43. The world has grown even more chaotic, and when a tragedy of mythic proportions is visited upon Chicago, the President must summon the country’s greatest warrior to lead a new G.I. JOE team. Who will make the cut to be on the new JOE team? And what of Cobra? It all begins in June with the release of G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE #0 priced at 25¢. Issue #1 follows in July with a $2.95 cover price.
“We’re so excited about G.I. JOE: AMERICA’S ELITE we thought getting fans and retailers involved was the perfect way to get everyone into the fun and excitement,” said Josh Blaylock, President of DDP. “It’s a great time for G.I. JOE fans old and new to experience the launch of something special.”
The contests break down as follows:
**The Biggest G.I. JOE Fan Contest. That’s all there is to it. Prove to DDP that YOU are the biggest G.I. JOE fan and win a lifetime subscription to DDP’s G.I. JOE comic book series—the only person to have a DDP subscription of this kind! The sky is the limit, so what are you going to do? Submit materials via email or mail by July 31. Winners will be announced Aug 8 on DDP’s website. Individual entries only. No groups, clubs, etc.
** The Best DDP Retailer Display Contest. Create the best DDP and G.I. JOE display in your store and win a DDP creator signing and pizza party. We’ll help you promote the event and provide DDP products and merchandise prize packages! Just submit photos (including store front and display), display description and store info to DDP by June 30, 2005. Winners will be announced July 5 at midnight on DDP’s web site.
**G.I. JOE Day. Host a G.I. JOE Day at your store on July 4! Retailer participants receive bag stuffers, New G.I. JOE Con Exclusives, signed merchandise, a G.I. JOE product pack (from DDP and other JOE licensees). DDP’s web site will give tips to help retailers promote the day. Retailers can receive additional discounts and any photos of the day submitted to DDP will be printed in issues of G.I. JOE.
More information on the contests will be posted to DDP's website, http://www.devilsdue.net/ , in the next few weeks. Retailers may visit http://www.devilsdue.net/retailers.
Devil's Due. Reminding everyone that pop culture IS our culture.
ABOUT DEVIL'S DUE PUBLISHING (DDP)
Devil's Due Publishing was formed in 1999 as both a commercial art studio and a small press comic book publisher. DDP's first breakout success was 2001's revamp of G.I. JOE, returning the long-lost 1980s characters to comics. Fans bought over 100,000 copies per month, immediately propelling G.I. JOE to the top of the charts. Today, DDP's lineup includes Army of Darkness, Street Fighter, Hack/Slash and the Aftermath universe, a new imprint featuring super-powered heroes in titles like Defex, Breakdown, Blade of Kumori and Infantry.
ABOUT THE HASBRO PROPERTIES GROUP
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE:HAS), translates one of the industry’s richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro’s core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, DUEL MASTERS, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.
press release:
Oni Press is pleased to announce the July debut of BANANA SUNDAY, a fun filled four-issue comic from Root Nibot and Colleen Coover (SMALL FAVORS).
Kirby Steinberg is having a bit of trouble fitting into her new school. It’s hard enough being the new kid, but she’s also the guardian of three monkeys who have all gained the power of speech, and will be attending school with her. When her new friend Nickels, a crack reporter for the school paper, decides there’s something suspicious about the monkeys, the fun is just beginning. How do you keep track of three monkeys, make new friends and get good grades? Kirby shows us how in BANANA SUNDAY!
"Many of the ideas for Banana Sunday came about one day while I was at a zoo, watching an orangutan," Nibot commented. "I started thinking about how monkeys and humans would interact, if only monkeys could voice their ideas in ways we could understand. Boom, I wanted talking monkeys. And I wanted THREE monkeys because I needed an orangutan, as one was the catalyst for a lot of my thoughts. But I love gorillas, so I needed a gorilla. Also, I've had a bit of a fascination for spider-monkeys ever since one stole a pair of my sunglasses when I was a child. So, Chuck the Orangutan, Go-Go the gorilla, and Knobby, the spider-monkey. All of whom are monkeys, but represent different types of humanity."
Coover discovered the monkey’s personalities as she set out to draw them. "Root has created distinct individuals so they all have their own body language," she commented. "Chuck conducts himself with an air of superiority, Knobby's constantly on the lookout for someone to flirt with, and Go-Go has the determined focus of a simpleton attempting to understand the world around him. Monkeys are great fun to draw because they look like us, but behave with animal disregard for consequence. In other words, they're naughty!"
But the monkeys aren’t the only ones in the book; Kirby and her human friends get their fair share of attention too. Joining Kirby and Nickels is Martin, a maybe love interest for Kirby.
"All of them are in their mid teens, which I think is a GREAT age to write about," Nibot continued. "Even the easy things are chaotic at that age, and everything is so full of drama. The world is open and waiting, but damn scary at the same time. I pulled from my own high school days; how they were a mixture of freedom and slavery, grandeur and suck."
Coover adds, "What I really love about Root's story is the friendship that develops between Kirby and Nickels, in spite of the fact that Kirby keeps a secret that Nickels is determined to uncover. This is the kind of friendship that only happens in school."
BANANA SUNDAY is jam packed with fun and humor appropriate for all ages.
BANANA SUNDAY #1 will feature 24 pages of black and white story and art. With a cover price of $2.99, it will ship to comic book stores in July 2005. Future issues will ship on a monthly basis.
press release:
PSPcmx.com, the premier licensed comic book online portal, has announced their official release of the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears Volume 1. With the first three issues of the acclaimed Lions, Tigers and Bears mini-series from Image Comics sold out, this will provide millions of PSP users with their first opportunity to enter the world of the Stuffed Animal Kingdom.
"We’re extremely overjoyed that so early in PSPcmx.com’s launch we’re able to offer Lions, Tigers and Bears to the PSP audience! When I tell you this series is written with sensitivity and adventure and drawn in a captivating animated style, it isn’t just because I am part of the original comic book team – but as a comic fan, it is a style of book that I’ve waited all my life to read!" said Dave Lanphear, co-founder of PSPcmx.com. "Lions, Tigers and Bears is terrific all-ages reading!"
Lanphear’s twenty years of award-winning print production experience, accentuated with his decade long emphasis on pure digital production and his strong, personal ties to the comic industry through his studio Artmonkeys.com, has opened a large library of comic book properties for PSPcmx™.
"I’d heard Dave raving about Lions, Tigers and Bears earlier in the year, and he lavished a lot of time on the books," recalls PSPcmx.com’s other co-founder Gabo Mendoza. "When I saw the online version, it was my first time seeing the books, and it’s nothing short of a blockbuster animated film and fun video-game brought to life as a comic book! I was blown away!" Mendoza is best known by his first name, Gabo of Gabocorp.com. Since 1997, Gabo has been lavished with international acclaim for his revolutionary vision and online exhibitions of cutting edge web and media development.
"When we were approached by PSPcmx to put the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears out on the PSP, the only thing I could think of was just how utterly cool this is," exclaimed Mike Bullock, creator and writer of the critically acclaimed comic book series. "I’ve been a fan of the Playstation since the first time I ever laid eyes on a Twisted Metal commercial on television and to be able to look at the gorgeous artwork Jack Lawrence created for Lions, Tigers and Bears on a Playstation console is just unbelievable!"
PSPcmx.com will roll out the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears over two downloads, keeping file sizes optimally small and quick. The first download, Lions, Tigers & Bears 1A, is online now and can be downloaded directly from the site at www.pspcmx.com. The update for Lions, Tigers & Bears 1B will be available May 25th 2005.
For fans of either the PSP or Lions, Tigers and Bears this couldn’t come at a better time, with the recent announcement of the 112-page Lions, Tigers and Bears trade paperback, collecting the entire mini-series and made available through comic book retailers and book sellers worldwide in July from Alias Entertainment and Runemaster Studios, Inc.
Additionally, in August, Marvel will release a "Director's Cut" version of issue #1. Featuring no ads and some of the same extras in other "Director's Cut" editions, Daredevil: Father #1 Director's Cut will go on sale 8/3 with a price of $2.99, 51 cents lower than the original price of $3.50.
The remaining four issues of the series will also all feature cover prices of $2.99, seemingly as a reconciliatory gesture to fans and retailers who have waited since April 2004 for the completion of the limited series. Issue #2 will go on sale 8/31 and issues #3-5 will go on sale September through November.
Classic character Bingo Wilkin and Jughead Jones share an Uncle Herman, it will be revealed in Jughead & Friends #5 in August from Archie Comics.
In a change only hardcore Archie fans might have noticed, Riverdale regular Jughead Jones had a jovial Uncle Herman. A few years later, Bingo Wilkin had his own Uncle Herman -- who was identical to Jughead's.
"It was just one of those things that we switched around at the time," said Victor Gorelick, Managing Editor for Archie Comic Publications. "Bingo needed an uncle, and we had already created Herman."
But in a rare move to bring two usually separate Archie properties together with a dash of continuity, Archie will reveal the true, previously unheard of link between Bingo and Hughead.
"The idea was something we just tossed around casually," said Nelson Ribeiro, ACP's Digest Editor. "But the more we talked about it, the more it seemed like a fun idea to try. Mainly to create a good story, but also as a wink to longtime fans."
Bingo Wilkin, "That Wilkin Boy," first appeared in That Wilkin Boy #1 in January 1969.
press release:
Dynamic Forces returns to QVCUK for a special, fun-filled hour featuring the best Comics and Collectibles available!
Join DF President Nick Barrucci on Monday, the 16th of May at 7:00 PM GMT as he and the DF crew have prepared tons of fun, excitement and best of all - Signed Comics, Collectibles and More! (And fingers crossed, comics fans, Nick will be joined by Rich Johnston -- This "dynamic" duo had a blast on the air back in December, and hopefully will be able to team up for the first DF show of the year!) Check out the cool collectibles being brought over for this special hour!
Staring with:
LUCKY 21 - COOL COLLECTOR CARD SET!
Not just a Lucky 21, it's much more than that, a "Lucky 21 Plus 1" for a total of 22 Collectible Cards, featuring 1 DF Random Hand Drawn Sketch Card, 1 Set of 4 Marvel QFX Laser Cut Cards featuring the Hulk, Spider-Man, Punisher, and Wolverine from Marvel Comics 1997 Laser Card Set, 1 Set of Six Random signed Chase cards, 1 Set of 5 box toppers, and 1 Set of The Complete 6 card chase set of chase Acetate Cards!
Also, be sure to check out the following featured items:
THE SUPERFRIENDS - SUPER PACKAGE!
This package of Super Books features - SEVEN comics and TWO hardcover collections in all -- DC Comics greatest super heroes, including Batman, Superman, The Justice League the Teen Titans and their most famous creators, writers and artists!
Featuring: JLA Another Nail #1 - Signed by Artists Extraordinaire Alan Davis & Mark Farmer; Teen Titans Hardcover - Signed by the legendary Titans Team of Marv Wolfman & George Perez; Superman/Batman #10 - Signed by superstar artist Jim Lee; Superman/Batman #9 - Signed by writer Jeph Loeb; Batman #619 - Signed by artist Jim Lee; JLA Adventures #1 - Signed by cover painter Alex Ross; Superman 204 signed by the entire team of writer Brian Azzarello, artist Jim Lee, and inker Scott Williams; Green Lantern #176 - Signed by writer Ron Marz and the MASSIVE JLA Avengers Hardcover collection (unsigned).
DF is also bringing our word-famous starter sets to the show, perfect for the new or old fan:
THE "EIGHT LEGS OF THE SPIDER" SET
This set features TWO signed limited edition comics and a set of great unsigned comics for your collection! The signed and authenticated comics include: Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1 - Signed by Terri & Rachel Dodson and Powerless #1 - Signed by writers Matt Cherniss & Peter Johnson, of "Nip/Tuck", the Shield and "The OC" fame and more!
3 TIMES THE 5 STAR STARTER SET!
Dynamic Forces is known for our world-famous 5 Star Starter Sets -- 5 times the adventures, 5 times the characters, 5 books from one comic book company, 5 sets of signatures in an amazing pack, 5 chances to start collecting the most popular comics that everyone has been hunting
For! Now, the 5 star starter set is back and bigger and better than ever!
DF PLATINUM SERIES
Our Platinum - the rarest of all metals -- series has something for everyone and is sure to delight and amaze, featuring: X-Men: The End #1 - Signed by Sean Chen; Ultimate Fantastic Four #13 - Variant sketch cover signed by Adam Kubert; and Daredevil: Father #1 - Signed by writer/artist and Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. PLUS 37 random signed and unsigned books making this Set Forty Books BIg!
DF "CUBED" COLLECTION
For this set, we've opened the throttle wide and are screaming down the road of comics collecting fun! Check it out: Ultimate Spider-Man #62 9.8; X-23 Variant Cover CGC 9.6; and 1 Random CGC book with a grade of 9.6 or greater. THREE CGC Graded Books in one set at one great price!
DF is also bringing along a limited number of marquee items and sets, featuring the legendary creators whose signatures can often be the hardest to obtain for your collection:
THE MIGHTY MARVEL MARQUEE SET
These comics span the entire Marvel Universe - filled with adventures that are beyond comparison -- together in one incredible package. Featuring the signatures of such luminaries as Paul Jenkins, David Finch, Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Land, Joe Quesada and more on such great titles as Ultimate X-Men, X-Force, New X-Men #130, Wolverine: Origin, Ultimate Fantastic Four and more!
THE BEST OF BENDIS SET!
Brian Michael Bendis is an award winning comics creator and one of the hardest and most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For the last five years, Brian's books (including Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers, Daredevil, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Alias, The Pulse, Powers) consistently sit in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic sales chart. This limited set features the best of his work, and best of all, signed by the writer himself, featuring the Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate Spider-Man and more surprises put together by DF!
THE INCREDIBLE HULK VOLUME 1 HARDCOVER - Signed by Stan "the Man" Lee.
The man who co-created the entire Marvel Universe is represented here with a special, signed and limited item, featuring one of his most brutish creations - The Incredible Hulk! Stan Lee, whose credits include co-creating the Amazing Spider-Man, the Uncanny X-MEN, the Avengers, Iron Man, Thor, and so many more, including the Heroes and the Villains, also created everyone's favorite jolly green monster - the Incredible Hulk and signs this special Hardcover Collection is the massive and mighty Marvel Hero! Not to be missed.
It all begins on Monday, the 16th of May at 7:00 PM GMT as DF President Nick Barrucci brings a TON of great Signed Comics and Collectibles to your own home thanks to QVCUK!
For more information on Dynamic Forces specialty merchandise, product art, exclusive creator interviews and upcoming releases, please visit the Dynamic Forces website at www.dynamicforces.com
CHAOS! & DEVIL'S DUE???
press release:
EVIL COMES HOME TO DEVIL’S DUE
Chaos’s Evil Ernie takes on Cassie and Vlad in HACK/SLASH vs. EVIL ERNIE
Chicago, IL -- May 9, 2005 -- The most deadly, powerful, metal-loving killer of all---Evil Ernie---comes to Hack/Slash this June from Devil’s Due Publishing. It was only a matter of time before the legendary Evil Ernie found out about Cassie Hack, the not-to-be-intimidated slasher killer who’s taken on deranged lunch ladies, crazed catholic schoolgirls and even homicidal comic book fans. But how can Cassie and Vlad defeat a killer who can raise the dead and unleash arcane energies? HACK/SLASH vs. EVIL ERNIE tells the tale of horror, death, mayhem and…love.
The $4.95, 48-page one-shot is written by Tim Seeley, with art by Aadi Salman (whose previous credits include Silent Hill: Dying Inside); Seeley provides the cover.
“When we had the chance to team up with characters from Chaos!, how could we refuse?” said Josh Blaylock, president of DDP. “Tim came up with a great story and we not only think fans of Hack/Slash and Evil Ernie will enjoy the read, but readers who’ve never experienced either book will find something new to love.”
The acclaimed Hack/Slash series has showcased the exploits of Cassie Hack and Vlad in the one-shots “Euthanized”, “Girls Gone Dead”, and “Comic Book Carnage”. Those titles and HACK/SLASH vs. EVIL ERNIE are each available from comic book shops everywhere.
Devil's Due. Reminding everyone that pop culture IS our culture.
ABOUT DEVIL'S DUE PUBLISHING (DDP)
Devil's Due Publishing was formed in 1999 as both a commercial art studio and a small press comic book publisher. DDP's first breakout success was 2001's revamp of G.I. JOE, returning the long-lost 1980s characters to comics. Fans bought over 100,000 copies per month, immediately propelling G.I. JOE to the top of the charts. Today, DDP's lineup includes Army of Darkness, Street Fighter, Hack/Slash and the Aftermath universe, a new imprint featuring super-powered heroes in titles like Defex, Breakdown, Blade of Kumori and Infantry.
ABOUT CHAOS! COMICS
Chaos! Comics was the leading horror comic book publisher of the 1990s. In 2005, Chaos! Comics is resurrected under new ownership. Chaos! Comics is dedicated to bringing the best in horror and supernatural stories to the comic book industry.
MARVEL EXTENDS STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
press release:Marvel Enterprises, Inc., a global entertainment and licensing company, announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized an additional $150 million to be utilized in Marvel's common stock repurchase program and extended that program to June 30, 2006.
As of May 10, 2005, Marvel had approximately $13 million remaining under its initial $100 million stock repurchase authorization. Giving effect to today's authorization, Marvel now has a total of approximately $163 million authorized for share repurchases. Marvel currently has cash and short-term investments in excess of $200 million.
Morton E. Handel, Chairman of Marvel's Board of Directors, commented, "Marvel's strong cash position and our expectations for continued strength in our business and our annual cash flows are the attractive byproducts of our unique, risk-averse, business model. Given these factors, Marvel's Board of Directors continues to believe that share repurchases represent an excellent use of capital that should enhance shareholder value over the long term. Accordingly, the Board felt it should act ahead of the completion of our initial $100 million repurchase authorization so that Marvel would be able to continue to pursue repurchase transactions as market conditions permit."
Pursuant to the authorization, Marvel may purchase shares from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Marvel has no obligation to repurchase shares under the authorization, and the timing, actual number and value of shares to be purchased will depend on the performance of Marvel's stock price and market conditions.
Marvel's Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman and largest stockholder, Isaac Perlmutter, has agreed to continue not to sell any of his shares of Marvel stock while the expanded repurchase program is in effect. Mr. Perlmutter had previously agreed, when the initial $100 million stock repurchase program was authorized in July, 2004, not to sell any of his shares of Marvel stock until that initial authorization was completed.
Yesterday, DC Comics released two press releases on the new Supergirl series, of the variant cover to issue #1 & Supergirl #0.
press release:
SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19 TO BE REPRINTED AS SUPERGIRL #0
The nearly sold-out SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19 will return this August as SUPERGIRL #0, a special issue leading into the Girl of Steel's new series.
SUPERGIRL #0 features the story from SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19, written by Jeph Loeb, with art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund. The cover, by Churchill & Rapmund, features the Supergirl figure from the original cover art from SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19 against a white background.
"When Ian and I finished SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19, we realized it was Supergirl's launchpad, bringing the reader up to speed with what Kara had been doing since her superstar debut in S/B #8-13," says Loeb. "The reaction to that issue has been astonishing, and we're thrilled that DC has created this special edition as a preview to the series just as it explodes out in August!"
press release:
MICHAEL TURNER PROVIDES VARIANT COVER FOR AUGUST'S SUPERGIRL #1
Superstar artist Michael Turner, who illustrated the best-selling SUPERMAN/BATMAN storyline that introduced Kara Zor-El, is set to provide a special variant cover for August's SUPERGIRL #1!
The issue, written by Jeph Loeb with art by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund, will feature two covers: one by Churchill and the other by Turner. This issue will ship to retailers with 75% Churchill covers and 25% Turner covers.
"Ian and I having a ball with the Girl of Steel," says Loeb. "Our goal is to bring the same brand of excitement, adventure, fun and nail-biting cliffhangers that had Supergirl burst out of SUPERMAN/BATMAN into her own title. Getting Michael Turner to do the variant continues to show our love for Kara Zor-El and an added bonus for both the readers and the retailers!"
Keep checking here & the DC Comics website for more info as it becomes available.
On June 3, members of the DC Comics staff and freelance community will greet the public at Wizard World Philadelphia! DC freelancers scheduled to be at Wizard World Philadelphia include:
• Scott Beatty (BATMAN BEGINS MOVIE ADAPTATION, SON OF VULCAN)
• Tommy Castillo (DETECTIVE COMICS)
• Amanda Conner (JSA: CLASSIFIED, BATGIRL covers)
• Justin Gray (HAWKMAN, JONAH HEX, TWILIGHT EXPERIMENT)
• Jamal Igle (FIRESTORM)
• John Lucas (DETECTIVE COMICS)
• Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW)
• Bruce Jones (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW)
• J.G. Jones (WONDER WOMAN covers)
• Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS, WONDER WOMAN)
• Jimmy Palmiotti (HAWKMAN, JONAH HEX, TWILIGHT EXPERIMENT)
• Michael Turner (IDENTITY CRISIS covers)
• Walter Simonson (DAY OF VENGEANCE covers, ELRIC: THE MAKING OF A SORCERER)
• Ethan van Sciver (GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH)
From DC's Editorial staff, Shelly Bond, Group Editor — VERTIGO and Dan DiDio, VP — Executive Editor, DCU, are scheduled to attend.
Paula Lowitt, Senior VP — Business & Legal Affairs, is scheduled to be at the show, as are Terri Cunningham, VP — Managing Editor, Ronald Perazza, Director — Creative Services, and Kevin Kiniry, Manager — Licensing.
DC's Sales & Marketing staff will be at the show as well, including Bob Wayne, VP — Sales, Patricia Jeres, Director — Marketing Communications, Vince Letterio, Manager — Direct Sales, Stuart Schreck, Administrator, Direct Sales, and Vinnie Costa, Representative, Events & Retailer Services.
See more information here
press release:
MoCCA ANNOUNCES SUMMER EDUCATION COURSES FOR 2005
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art is proud to announce its inaugural Summer Education Course series for 2005.
“This is our way of introducing people to the art of comics and enabling them to gain the skills they need to become part of the comics world,” said Lawrence Klein, Founder and Chairman of MoCCA. “We are proud of our new summer program and are confident that it will benefit our community.”
The first ever program will offer courses by well-known comic writers and artists on a variety of topics:
* Breaking Into Comics (Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm – 10 weeks) with Andy Schmidt
* Basic Writing for Comics (Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm – 8 weeks) with Neil Kleid
* A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling (Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm – 6 weeks) with Klaus Janson
* Comic Strips for Beginners (Saturdays, 5:00-7;00 pm – 6 weeks) with Tom Hart
* D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop (Sundays, 5:00-7:00 pm – 5 weeks) with Fly
All classes will be held onsite at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, located on the fourth floor of 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Street). Nearest subways stations are Broadway-Lafayette (B,D,F,V ), Prince Street (W/R), and Bleecker Street (6).
Class size is limited. Enrollment is restricted to MoCCA members until May 11, 2005. General enrollment (for non-members) starts May 12, 2005. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying area youth.
To request a registration form, please call or visit the museum. Completed registration forms should be mailed, faxed or hand-delivered to:
Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art
Attn: MoCCA Summer Education Coordinator
594 Broadway, Suite 401 (4th floor)
New York, NY 10012
Fax: 212- 254- 3590
Phone: 212- 254- 3511
Applications for registration will be processed in the order in which they are received.
For more information about MoCCA Summer Education Courses, please visit the museum website (www.moccany.org).
About MoCCA
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, located at 594 Broadway in SoHo, is the newest addition to New York City’s cultural landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit arts education organization dedicated to promoting greater understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art, the Museum celebrates the unique creative achievements of graphic storytelling.
# # #
MOCCA SUMMER EDUCATION COURSES FOR 2005
Breaking Into Comics (Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm – 10 weeks)
Instructor: Andy Schmidt
Date of first class: June 21, 2005
Tuition: $200
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 16 and up
Course Description: Breaking Into Comics
We’re going to cover everything I can cram into this summer course. Essentially, it’s broken down into three categories:
1) The Work. If you look at the comic racks these days, you’re likely to find a wide spectrum of quality. There’s good work out there but also a lot of sub par work. That means there’s room for new talent! I’ll try and get us all the way from story to lettering in 10 weeks. 2) Breaking In. We’ll cover subjects from formatting pitches and scripts, picking the right pages for pencil samples and how to approach editors. 3) Staying Put. This is the hardest part. Once you’ve gotten your first gig, how do you get the second or third? I’ll give you tips and advice on how to roll your first assignment into a career. Shall we begin?
Andy has been editing various projects like Secret War, Defenders and Madrox for the last three years at Marvel Entertainment. He assists Tom Brevoort on the Marvel heroes’ line, which includes New Avengers, Fantastic Four and Young Avengers. Prior to beginning his comics editing career, Andy was a college professor in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned his masters degree in Media Communications and taught classes on Aesthetics, Film and Comics and Sequential Art.
Basic Writing for Comics (Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm – 8 weeks)
Instructor: Neil Kleid
Date of first class: June 22, 2005
Tuition: $160
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 13 to 18
Course Description: Basic Writing for Comics
Know what a splash page is? Ever heard of a springboard? How about plot-style scripting? If none of these terms sit comfortably in your writer’s back pocket like a trusted wallet, then this course is for you.
Writer/cartoonist Neil Kleid leads novice writers on a crash course road trip through the ins and outs of writing for the comic-book industry. Topics covered include plotting, scripting and pitching. By the end of the course, each writer will leave with a short script in hand.
Neil Kleid is the Xeric-winning author of Ninety Candles, a graphic novella about life, fatherhood, comic books and death. His graphic novel about the Jewish Mafia with artist Jake Allen, Brownsville, debuts from NBM Publishing in 2006.
A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling (Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm – 6 weeks)
Instructor: Klaus Janson
Date of first class: June 30, 2005
Tuition: $150
Maximum number of students: 12
Age group: 18 to 25
Course Description: A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling
A discussion and presentation of the most preliminary and basic fundamentals required to understand and execute visual story-telling. The importance of clarity as a theory, the page layout, the importance of panel size and shape, composition, creating three dimensions in a two dimensional world and an introduction to working in ink complete this compact introduction to sequential story-telling. Everyone gets a one on one review of their
portfolio. This is a fast roller coaster ride emphasizing the highlights of sequential storytelling theory. Not for the faint of heart.
Klaus Janson has written, penciled, inked and colored a handful of comic books in the last few years. The most recent work is pencils and inks for a nine issue maxi-series, Death and the Maidens with Greg Rucka for DC Comics and inks over John Romita Jr. on Wolverine for Marvel Comics. He authored both DC Comics Guide to Penciling and the sequel, DC Comics Guide to Inking. Klaus teaches a class on story-telling at The School for Visual Arts.
Comic Strips for Beginners (Saturdays, 5:00-7;00 pm – 6 weeks)
Instructor: Tom Hart
Date of first class: June 25, 2005
Tuition: $90
Maximum number of students: 12
Age group: 16 to 25
Course Description: Comic Strips for Beginners
Students in this class will begin by creating comic strip characters and learn to mix and match them with other ideas and techniques to make professional-level comic strips. Penciling, inking and writing will be demonstrated, and classic comic strips will be examined and discussed.
Tom Hart is the creator of the comic book series Hutch Owen, described as “Peanuts for the Post –Enron Generation”. He has released numerous books to critical and audience acclaim, including nominations for the “Eisner”, “Harvey” and two industry “Ignatz” awards. Tom has created a series, Pitch Unger, for a publisher in Japan, been translated into French and Portuguese, and has had his work exhibited in shows from Seattle, Washington to Lubjiana, Slovenia.
D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop (Sundays, 5:00-7:00 pm – 5 weeks)
Instructor: Fly
Date of first class: June 26, 2005
Tuition: $50
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 15 and up
Course Description: D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop
Learn to make your own comix from story ideas, sketches and thumbnails to finished product. The workshop will take the student through four steps to creating your own personal photocopied comic book (zine).
Week 1: Introduction of story ideas, thumbnails progressing to finished sketches.
Week 2: Pencils and planning for inks.
Week 3: Inking and planning for paste-ups.
Week 4: Finishing the comic and having it ready to be photocopied.
Week 5: Zine trading party open to all those who attended the workshop and open to the public. Admission will be $5.00 or one zine. Each week will also host a guest speaker.
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On May 21st, 2005, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art will launch a traveling exhibition honoring the life and work of Will Eisner. The exhibit features original artwork spanning Eisner’s long career, including two complete Spirit stories from 1947.
* * * * * * * * *
How to get to MoCCA:
594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince)
Suite 401 (Fourth Floor)
New York City
Tel: 212 254 3511
Fax: 212 254 3590
www.moccany.org
Take B, D, F, V or 6 to B'way-Lafayette Street
Take N, R to Prince Street
MoCCA's hours are Friday through Monday - 12pm till 5pm and by appointment at other times.