Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the
Critically Acclaimed Graphic Memoir from IDW

SAN DIEGO, CA (November 20, 2020) – The intriguing history of the high-flying rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Redbone is beautifully presented in IDW‘s powerful graphic novel, Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band, recently released and timed perfectly with November’s celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
 
Created in cooperation with Redbone founder Pat Vegas, authors Christian Staebler and Sonia Paoloni and artist Thibault Balahy take painstaking steps to ensure the historical accuracy of this important and often overlooked story of America's past — from the creation of the first rock ‘n’ roll band made up of all Native Americans and founded by brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas, to the incorporation of tribal beats into chart-topping rock music and popular culture, to the members of the band taking a stand for their ancestry over continued commercial reward. Part biography and part research journalism, Redbone tells a vivid story about this neglected chapter of American history.
 
Pat Vegas says, “Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Group is a true story that I put a lot of time into sharing my history, the history of Redbone, and our people. You get a lot more personal with me, and I think you’ll love it. This book is not just for Native Americans, it’s for everyone. It won’t just mean a lot to me but a lot to you, too.”
 
In addition to the English language release of Redbone, IDW has welcomed the graphic novel into its Spanish Language publishing initiative, expanding the accessibility of this culturally and politically important story to Spanish-speaking communities throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
 
Staebler, Paoloni, and Balahy’s moving tribute to the groundbreaking rock band has been a critical favorite since its release in late October. A selection of quotes from critics include:
 
"Compelling reading for fans of roots rock and Native American history in middle school and up." — School Library Journal
 
"An entertaining, enlightening history for music fans. Balahy’s loose, energetic drawings; imaginative layouts; and playful use of color make everything pop." — Publishers Weekly
 
"Musicians with heart put their people before profits in an inspirational tale. Well-researched and well-paced, this book will introduce a new generation to the music and impact of Redbone." — Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)
 
"In some eyes, the guys in Redbone, still the most successful Native American rock band this country has produced, are indeed superheroes. Not all heroes wear capes, and some wear buckskin." — Houston Chronicle
 
"Staebler and Paoloni offer a lens onto aspects of the twentieth-century Native American struggle for civil rights and injustices like forced schooling and racist policing, as well as the 1968 birth of the American Indian Movement. Balahy's art is particularly splendid and well-varied in style for the complex subject matter." — Booklist
 
"Relates a compelling story extending much farther than solely rock music. Redbone the book enlightens readers both musically and culturally." — People's World
 
“Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band represents the strength of graphic novels to package engaging, socially relevant stories into a highly accessible format, and a proud addition to our growing library of critically acclaimed titles,” says Justin Eisinger, Editorial Director, Graphic Novels & Collections for IDW Publishing. “While unspooling the band’s incredible story at the heart of West Coast rock n’ roll, this unlikely collaboration between Vegas and Staebler effortlessly contextualizes events in American history that many readers may find surprising. Yet Redbone rolls from cover to cover with the driving rhythm of passion and purpose born of seasoned musical prowess.”
 
Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band
by Christian Staebler, Sonia Paoloni, and Thibault Balahy
ISBN 978-1-68405-714-6
$19.99 US / $25.99 CAN
160-page, full color softcover, 7” x 10″
September 2020
 
Redbone: la Verdadera Historia de una Banda de Rock Nativa Americana (Spanish Language Edition)
by Christian Staebler, Sonia Paoloni, and Thibault Balahy
ISBN 978-1-68405-818-1
$19.99 US / $25.99 CAN
160-page, full color softcover, 7” x 10″
September 2020
 
Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band is now available via booksellers and comic book specialty retailers. Visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

An Original Tale of Intrigue, Murder, and Magic
for Mature Audiences Debuts in February
​
SAN DIEGO, CA (November 19, 2020) – From the creative team of co-writers Brian Level (Darth Vader, Thanos, Deadpool) and Andy Eschenbach (Heavy Metal Magazine, Red Shoes) and artist Kate Sherron (Invader Zim, The Amazing World of Gumball) comes Chained to the Grave, a five-issue comic book series of Old West action -- with a wholly unique visual style and supernatural weirdness aplenty!
 
In anticipation of February’s #1 issue launch, IDW is proud to debut the opening scene of this mature-themed miniseries for all the world to enjoy.
 
Outlaw Roy Mason has come back from the dead, chained to the headstone that marked his grave. It’s a lawless time, a magical time, and the undead Roy finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place as he sets out in search of treasure. But Roy, trying to do right by the wife and children he left behind, soon finds out that everything is not always as it seems…
 
“The process of making Chained to the Grave has been a great pleasure,” says Level. “With Andy's weird genius and Kate's singular and luminous art, I've had a hand in creating one of the more unorthodox westerns on the market. For such a rotten guy, Roy Mason has brought us along for a pretty magical ride!”
 
“Brian and I really set out to make something strange and fun with the pieces of something familiar, and Kate’s pen just amplifies that notion. It’s got all the things you’d want from a Western romp, but it toys with those tropes, focusing on the blast radius of Roy Mason’s bad decisions, all through the vivid lens of Kate’s amazing style,” says Eschenbach.
 
“I love a good Western, but I loathe the usual Western palette — tan, brown, the occasional khaki green... I’d really rather not,” says Sherron. “I can’t thank Brian and Andy enough for crafting this wild story where cowpokes and color happily coexist on the page.”
 
Chained to the Grave #1 will feature two cover editions for fans to enjoy: Cover A by Kate Sherron and a Retailer Incentive edition by Brian Level.
 
For information on how to acquire copies of Chained to the Grave, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

PAC-MAN Collectible Interactive Plush
Available Now at Kidrobot.com
Waka Waka Waka Waka... Celebrating 40 years of one of the longest-running, best-selling video game characters of all time, Kidrobot brings PAC-MAN to life. This PAC-MAN Small Collectible 4" Interactive Plush Collection features PAC-MAN and 4 interactive reversible GHOST plush - Inky, Pinky, Blinky, and Clyde. Each of the 4-inch tall GHOST plush flips inside out to reveal its contrasting opposite dead version from the classic video game. Collect all five now at Kidrobot.com.

CHICAGO, IL— Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is pleased to announce their partnership with TOKYOPOP, the publishing arm of POP Media Holdings and the company that established the market for manga in North America, introducing the term to the English language.

Beginning January 1, 2021, TOKYOPOP will expand its English language trade distribution through IPG, including retail book and mass merchant accounts. TOKYOPOP will continue to partner with Diamond Comics to work directly with comic book retailers and expand its offerings within the direct market comic books channel.

“IPG is one of the leading book distribution companies, which not only boasts a rich 50 year history, but at the same time is very innovative, utilizing advanced data collection and reporting methodology,” said TOKYOPOP CEO Stu Levy. "We expect to expand not only our retail network, but also direct-to-consumer initiatives, digital publishing, and print-on-demand services. Coming out of 2020 and the repercussions of the global COVID pandemic, we believe 2021 is going to be an exciting year!"

Over its history, TOKYOPOP has published thousands of books, distributed anime and Asian films on home video and television, licensed merchandise to consumer goods companies, created graphic novels of major brands, and led the way digitally in social media, e-commerce, and user-generated content.

A part of this joint distribution includes TOKYOPOP’s 2021 launch of the new RESIDENT EVIL manga and graphic novels line, both digitally and in print, across multiple formats. Laughing Under the Clouds, a highly rated fantasy manga series set in ancient Japan, will also release in early 2021. Additionally, new Disney Manga titles with TOKYOPOP include an upcoming original The Nightmare Before Christmas story to follow up with its The Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero's Journey series; a brand-new Descendants story; Stitch and the Samurai, a crossover between an ancient Japanese samurai story and the popular Disney character Stitch; and a color version of its classic Beauty and the Beast manga series. Its LOVE x LOVE imprint will feature the following new highlights: This Wonderful Season With You, from author of Dekoboko Sugar Days, now on its third printing; Still Sick, the final volume of TOKYOPOP’s bestselling Girls Love series; and Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide, an LGBTQ+ Boys Love title about traveling around the world and experiencing different cultures.

TOKYOPOP has global recognition with a network of over 160 partners in more than 50 countries and 30 languages. Its production arm has produced live-action and animated film and television content based on its extensive intellectual property library, including Priest, America’s Greatest Otaku, Van Von Hunter, Riding Shotgun, and a slate of projects currently in development.

“IPG is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent a long established and well-respected publisher such as TOKYOPOP,” said Alex Kampmann, VP, Business Development. “Through this exciting new partnership we expect to significantly increase TOKYOPOP’s reach in the global marketplace and that more TOKYOPOP books will find their way into the hands of more readers.”

About Independent Publishers Group (IPG)

Founded in 1971, IPG was the first organization specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. Today, IPG’s wide reach into the book market includes distribution of both print and e-books from a wide array of publishers, digital printing and traditional publishing. With consistent growth year over year, IPG’s success has come from supporting and encouraging the growth of its publishing partners in the United States and worldwide. IPG was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987, and this acquisition formed the parent company Chicago Review Press, Inc., which now owns Chicago-based indie publishers Chicago Review Press and Triumph Books.
About POP Media Holdings

Founded in 1997 by media entrepreneur Stu Levy, POP Media Holdings brings Asian Pop Culture to Hollywood and beyond. Its publishing company TOKYOPOP® established the market for manga in North America, introducing the term to the English language in the process. Over its history, POP has published thousands of books, distributed anime and Asian films on home video and television, licensed merchandise to consumer goods companies, created graphic novels of major brands and led the way digitally in social media, e-commerce and user-generated content, including the mobile publishing platform POP Comics®. POP expanded internationally with offices in Europe and Japan and a network of over 160 partners in more than 50 countries and 30 languages. Its production arm has produced live-action and animated film and television content based on its extensive intellectual property library, including Priest, America’s Greatest Otaku, Van Von Hunter, and a slate of projects currently in development. Visit POP at TOKYOPOP.com, TOKYOPOP.de, POPcomics.com, and subscribe to TOKYOPOP TV for original web series and shows.

To support the release of the life-size version English & Clutter have also created a vinyl art-toy sculpture at an affordable price point for collectors.
The first colorway of several to be released in the next year, limited to just 50 pieces, will be available in person at Allouche Gallery, and online at Iamretro.com @iamretro starting this 
​Friday. Nov 20. Each piece will be priced at $300.

This metallic purple and red edition stands at 7” tall and 10” long, and consists of two interlocking lady figures, which together form the iconic image of the Lady Lips.
Destined to be a must-have for collectors of English’s,
​each of these super limited figures is signed and hand-numbered.

  About Ron English: One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books, and television. English coined the term POPaganda to describe his signature mash-up of high and low cultural touchstones, from superhero mythology to totems of art history, populated with his vast and constantly growing arsenal of original characters, including MC Supersized, the obese fast-food mascot featured in the hit movie “Supersize Me,” and Abraham Obama, the fusion of America’s 16th and 44th Presidents, an image widely discussed in the media as directly impacting the 2008 election. Other characters carousing through English’s art, in paintings, billboards, and sculpture include three-eyed rabbits, udderly delicious cowgirls, and grinning skulls, blending stunning visuals with the bitingly humorous undertones of America’s Premier Pop Iconoclast.
http://popaganda.com
​
About Clutter Studios: Clutter, established in 2004, is a portal to the global subculture community of Designer Toys and Underground Art. From festivals to art openings to pop-up events, we have our finger on the pulse of this diverse and welcoming community.  
As a Gallery, Clutter works closely with international artists to curate original shows and releases. Whether it's a high-end resin made in our New York fabrication studio, or collectible vinyl produced using one of our overseas manufacturing partners in China or Japan, Clutter puts love, hard work, and dedication into every piece we create.
With multiple events throughout the year, we are dedicated to providing the toy community with in-person gatherings and toy releases, all culminating with Clutters’ Five Points Festival and the Designer Toy Awards.  
And yes, sometimes we publish a magazine.

https://www.clutter.co