A New, Meticulously-Researched Hardcover from IDW Imprint Yoe Books
Presents the Life Stories and Rare Masterpieces of the
Black Artists Who Shaped the Industry

SAN DIEGO, CA (December 15, 2020) – During the formative years of the comic book industry, talented Black artists worked behind-the-scenes to create thrilling tales of superheroes, horror, and romance. Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books, a new hardcover book by comics historian Ken Quattro, is a riveting exploration of this little-known history, published by Yoe Books, an IDW imprint, and debuting today.
 
Using primary source material from World War II-era Black newspapers and magazines, this compelling book profiles pioneers like E.C. Stoner, a renowned fine artist of the Harlem Renaissance and the first Black artist to draw comic books; Owen Middleton, whose life sentence in Sing Sing became a cause célèbre championed by historian Will Durant, leading both to freedom and a career in comics; Matt Baker, who drew Vooda, the first groundbreaking Black comic book hero; and many more. Each man's personal struggles and triumphs are represented as they broke through into an industry formerly occupied only by whites.
 
Gorgeously illustrated with rare examples of each artist's work, Invisible Men features Ken Quattro's impeccable research of the social and cultural environments in which these extraordinary men lived and worked, plus full stories from mainstream comic books, rare reprints from titlles including All-Negro Comics and Negro Heroes, and unpublished artist's photos.
 
“The Black artists profiled in this book lived and worked among the white population but remained unseen and unknown to those same people. My research, taken mostly from sources within the contemporaneous Black media, was for me both revealing and humbling. I hope that by sharing these revelations, others will be inspired,” says Quattro.
 
“Ken Ouattro's engrossing writing, based on over two decades of impeccable research, finally gives foundational black comic artists their due. This unknown but vital part of comics history which Ken has so stunningly revealed will make the timely Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books one of the most talked about and important books of the comics field,” says Yoe Books editor, Craig Yoe.
 
Early reviews from Quattro’s peers in the arena of comics history have been overwhelmingly positive, and include:
 
“An indispensable contribution to the history of American comics, for fans and scholars alike.” — Qiana Whitted, editor of Inks: The Journal of the Comics Studies, and author of EC Comics: Race, Shock, and Social Protest
 
“A long neglected chapter of comic book history brought to light by a master scribe!” — Prof. William H. Foster III, comic book historian and author of Looking For A Face Like Mine
 
"The book is a revelation because of the sheer number of talented artists Quattro has discovered, and it's a memorial because of his meticulous research, which he has used to document the lives and accomplishments of a generation of barely- to completely-unknown Black comics artists." —Calvin Reid, senior news editor of Publishers Weekly and co-editor of PW Comics World
 
"Dogged research and choice archival reprints make this volume an essential reference for pop culture history. Eighteen African American comics creators receive overdue hero treatment in this collection that documents their essential roles in the rise of graphic pulp literature within the struggle for Black equality in postwar America." — Publishers Weekly
 
"This is the most complete list of Black Golden Age artists I've ever seen, complete with photos and examples of their work… a crucial historical document." — Reginald Hudlin, Producer/Director
 
”A timely and information-packed book giving tribute to a host of unsung Black creators of fabulous four-color art and comics." — Karen Green, curator for Comics and Cartoons, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University
 
"Invisible Men highlights forgotten yet essential figures in our industry. Bravo to Mr. Quattro for finally giving them their due." — Keith Knight, Creator of The K Chronicles and Woke
 
Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books
by Ken Quattro
ISBN 978-1-68405-586-9
$34.99 US / $53.99 CAN
240-page, full color hardcover, 8.5” x 11″
December 15, 2020
 
Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books is now available for order via booksellers and comic book specialty retailers. Visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

Z2 COMICS AND AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP TEAM UP FOR AN ORIGINALGRAPHIC NOVEL CELEBRATING ICON ELVIS PRESLEY IN ELVIS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
 
Writer Chris Miskiewicz and Artist Michael Schelfer set to Collaborate on the Official Original Graphic Novel in Celebration of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
NEW YORK, NY – December 11, 2020 — Z2 Comics and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand development, marketing, and entertainment company and owner of the Elvis Presley Estate, today announced an all-new original graphic novel that captures the amazing story of one of the most celebrated performers of all time: Elvis Presley. The book is available for pre-order in multiple editions now, including a limited-edition oversized hardcover accompanied by a new compilation album from Sony Music, mirroring the story through the musician’s own early output that came to define American rock and roll.
 
Elvis: The Graphic Novel will follow the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s humble beginnings in Memphis as a young artist struggling to find his voice and break into the music industry. From the history-making Sun Studio to television sets across the nation, the trials and tribulations of Elvis Aaron Presley are illustrated in graphic detail by author Chris Miskiewicz (Grateful Dead: Origins, This Is Where We Fall) and Marvel Comics artist Michael Shelfer.
 
“Elvis is one of the most universally celebrated names in entertainment,” says Z2 publisher, Josh Frankel. “His name transcends music itself as one of the larger-than-life figures in the history of pop culture. We hope to make this graphic novel an origin story for Elvis fans akin to what Alan Moore’s Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is for the Son of Krypton.”
 
“We are thrilled to partner with Z2 Comics on the release of Elvis: The Graphic Novel, written by the brilliant Chris Miskiewicz and illustrated by the exceptional Michael Shelfer,” said Marc Rosen, EVP Entertainment, Authentic Brands Group. “We are confident that fans of all ages will connect with the story and be delighted by the visual content.”
 
Elvis: The Graphic Novel will be released in softcover at finer bookstores and comic shops everywhere in August 2021 and is available to preorder now directly from Z2 Comics website in both standard and a deluxe “Blue Suede” edition, inclusive of an exclusive vinyl compendium and prints from artists Chris Hunt and Erik Rodriguez.
 
ABOUT ELVIS PRESLEY
Elvis Presley is one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century. Often referred to as the "King of Rock ‘n’ Roll," Elvis’ commanding voice and charismatic stage presence unleashed a musical and cultural revolution that changed the world. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards (3 wins), sold over 1 billion records worldwide, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named “One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” by the United States Jaycees, as well as the 2018 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to his musical accolades, Elvis starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances.
 
More than 60 years after his global debut, Elvis’ legacy is stronger than ever. His life and music have inspired countless hit musicals, movies and TV series’, fiction and non-fiction books, musical covers, and commercial endorsements, as well as a robust merchandise program spanning collectibles and fashion collaborations. An enduring symbol of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” stardom, Graceland, Elvis’ Memphis home, is the second most-visited home in the United States after the White House, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually and tens of thousands of fans for its Elvis Week celebration. With more than 15 million fans across social media and a growing multimedia presence, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” continues to inspire today’s most influential musicians, designers, entertainers, and social influencers and captivate audiences around the world. 
 
For more information, visit elvisthemusic.com. Shop Elvis products at shopelvis.com. 
Follow Elvis on Facebook,  Instagram, and Twitter.
 
###
 
About Z2 Comics:
Z2 is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created by way of direct and authentic partnerships with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Z2 has published the first-ever Gorillaz graphic album, as well as debut comic works by Grammy nominated artists Sturgill Simpson and Poppy, pop punk provocateur Yungblud, and many others. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for official graphic biographies for such legends as Beethoven, Charlie Parker, The  Grateful Dead, and Elvis Presley. In 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Anthrax, Dio, and many more to be announced.

About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of global media, entertainment, and lifestyle brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG elevates and builds the long-term value of more than 50 consumer brands and properties by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Its brands have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass, and e-commerce channels, and more than 6,000 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops around the world. 
 
ABG is committed to transforming brands by delivering compelling product, content, business, and immersive experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms, and emerging media. ABG’s portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands generates more than $14 billion in annual retail sales and includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, Sports Illustrated®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Nautica®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Herve Leger®, Judith Leiber®, Barneys New York®, Brooks Brothers®, Frye®, Lucky Brand®, Nine West®, Jones New York®, Frederick's of Hollywood®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Bandolino®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Volcom®, Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Thomasville®, Drexel®, and Henredon®. 
 
For more information, visit authenticbrandsgroup.com.
Follow ABG on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Cover by Bob Layton & Paul Mounts
X-O MANOWAR: RETRIBUTION

THE MOST PRIMITIVE MAN, THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON

Abducted from his own time by the predatory Spider Aliens and displaced to the present day, Aric of Dacia will make war on his one-time captors and any who stand with them. Armed with a sentient suit of battle armor and savagery born in an age of war, he will become the hero this new age demands. Tyrants from beyond time and space, superpowered corporate raiders, and corrupt government power brokers… all will quake in fear where X-O Manowar dares to tread.

Featuring groundbreaking work from comic-book legends Jim Shooter (Secret Wars), Bob Layton (Iron Man), Barry Windsor-Smith (Weapon X), Joe Quesada (Daredevil), Steve Englehart (Detective Comics) and many more, the complete adventures of Valiant’s original armored hero begin here in the first Valiant Classic Collection of the series Graphic Policy calls "a must read"!

Collecting X-O MANOWAR (1992) #0–9, and X-O DATABASE #1.

Also available from the VALIANT CLASSIC COLLECTIONS line is ARCHER & ARMSTRONG: REVIVAL, on sale now at Comixology, DriveThru Comics, Amazon Kindle, and Google Play.


We hope you enjoy revisiting this iconic sci-fi story!
 
About DMG Entertainment
DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.

About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 80 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com. 

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