LOS ANGELES, CA — Starburns Industries Press 
The publishing arm of the studio behind Rick and Morty, is releasing Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master, a 160-page graphic novel. Funded through a November-launching Kickstarter campaign, it is the follow-up project to writer Chris Mancini and artist Fernando Pinto’s first graphic novel together, Long Ago and Far Away, which was released digitally in 2019 from Starburns Industries Press, with a print edition to follow in 2020.

Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master is a comedy/action/fantasy graphic novel about Rick, a small time crook in Los Angeles who becomes an unlikely hero in a mystical battle between good and evil that has been fought since the days of Ancient China. Fans of Big Trouble in Little China, Shang-Chi, Bruce Campbell in Army of Darkness, and even ’80s comedies will find something to love here. Along with the epic martial arts fights, fantastic creatures, and surly baristas, the story explores anger and violence and the self-destruction they can bring. Only by turning away from them can we ultimately find peace.
“I love mixing genres, and I thought about how cool it would be to mix martial arts, fantasy and comedy in a modern way that also explores contemporary attitudes towards masculinity, violence, and our personal relationships,” creator/writer Chris Mancini said. “I wanted to tell a big, fun story, where you’re laughing one minute, thrilled by the action the next, and then surprised by a thoughtful character moment.”

In addition to being a stand-up comic and podcaster, Chris Mancini has also written, directed and produced on everything from soap operas to parenting books to horror films, which are all more closely related than you think. His feature films include Asylum from Lionsgate Films and Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary from Comedy Dynamics. His published works include Pacify Me: A Handbook for the Freaked Out New Dad from Simon and Schuster, The Comedy Film Nerds Guide to Movies from Morgan James, and Long Ago and Far Away, a graphic novel from Starburns Press and Studio, where it is also in development for a TV series.
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Fernando Pinto is from Chile. He graduated from the Kubert School in ’04 and has worked as a sequential artist ever since. Some of the other comics he’s worked on include Tales of the TMNT, Moon Lake vol. 2, Hack Slash, Monarchs, Eat Fighter, and his own books Warped! and GunPunch, among others.


The Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master Kickstarter launches November 4 and continues through December 10. Backers can score a print or digital edition of the book, as well as all sorts of cool digital rewards, including the entire Starburns Industries Press digital library. Other rewards include a tour of the Starburns offices, getting drawn into the book, and custom art commissions.

​The Kickstarter continues through Tuesday, December 10. Visit the campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comedyfilmnerds/rise-of-the-kung-fu-dragon-master

​Hello Kitty 8" Art Figure by Candie Bolton
Nostalgic Edition

GO TO KIDROBOT.COM FOR THE RELEASE

BOOM! Studios Fast Tracks Second Printing of Hotly Anticipated Series’ Premiere Issue in November 2019
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LOS ANGELES, CA (November 1, 2019) – BOOM! Studios announced today that FOLKLORDS #1, the premiere issue of a new original series from Eisner Award-nominated writer Matt Kindt (Grass Kings, Black Badge) and acclaimed artist Matt Smith (Hellboy & the BPRD: Long Night at Goloski, Lake of Fire), has sold out at the distributor level before its on-sale date of November 13, 2019.

In order to meet the overwhelming demand from retailers and fans, BOOM! Studios has fast-tracked FOLKLORDS #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT to arrive in comic shops on November 27, 2019. This second printing will feature an all-new cover by artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest). Quantities will be limited and allocations may occur.  

In a world of magic and monsters, Ansel is an outsider haunted by visions of well-pressed suits and modern technology. When it comes time for him to declare his Quest on his 18th birthday, Ansel decides to seek out a legend that is only spoken in hushed whispers—the Folklords—hoping they can explain his visions...but looking for the Folklords is expressly forbidden, and going on a rogue quest is punishable by death. What will Ansel risk to find answers to the questions and visions that have set him apart his entire life? 

“The overwhelming early support FOLKLORDS has received from retailers has been an absolute joy to experience,” said Eric Harburn, Senior Editor. “Matts Kindt & Smith, along with Chris and Jim, have built a world and story that we believe will truly resonate with readers, and with this expedited second printing, featuring a beautiful new cover by Jorge Corona, everyone will get a chance to join in on Ansel’s epic adventure from the very beginning.” 

FOLKLORDS is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Bury The Lede by Gaby Dunn and Claire Roe; Klaus by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora; Something is Killing The Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, as well as the upcoming The Red Mother by Jeremy Haun and Danny Luckert. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Joss Whedon’s Firefly from Greg Pak and Dan McDaid; Buffy The Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David Lopez; and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Ryan Parrott and Daniele Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of FOLKLORDS #1 FIRST PRINTING will be available for sale November 13, 2019 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

For more on FOLKLORDS and other projects from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.




About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through the development of four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—BOOM! has produced award-winning original work, including Lumberjanes, The Woods, Giant Days, Klaus, and Mouse Guard, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Cartoon Network, and The Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! will also bring their original series to life through unique first-look relationships with 20th Century Fox for film and with 20th Television for the small screen. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information. 
 
Web: www.boom-studios.com
Twitter: @boomstudios
Facebook: @BOOMStudiosComics
Instagram: @boom_studios
Tumblr: boomstudios.tumblr.com

Kidrobot x Jean-Michel Basquiat
Masterpiece "Pegasus" 8-Inch Dunny Drops at Kidrobot.com
& Select Art Toy RetailersKidrobot is proud to continue the collaboration with Basquiat with the Kidrobot x Jean-Michel Basquiat Masterpiece "Pegasus" 8-inch Dunny. This Jean-Michel Basquiat Masterpiece 8” Dunny features the iconic Neo-Expressionist piece, Pegasus (1987). The original piece, a staggering 7-feet by 7-feet, transforms on the Dunny form with a commitment to detail, managing to capture the overwhelming negative space and bring Basquiat into the homes of art and Dunny collectors alike. Basquiat's first art dealer once said that Pegasus was "The Most Beautiful Drawing Ever."  A legendary statement for a historical piece that you can now own a piece of as a limited edition Dunny. Limited to 750 pieces worldwide.