NEW VIKINGVERSE GRAPHIC NOVEL, THE JÖTUNN WAR, LAUNCHES ON KICKSTARTER
The first of a four-issue graphic novel brings Norse history to life this March
 TOPEKA, KANSAS (March 22, 2019)— The Jötunn War, a brand-new addition to the Vikingverse universe created by Ian Stuart Sharpe, launches on Kickstarter on March 22, 2019. The first of a four-issue graphic novel series and a follow up of Sharpe‘s debut novel The All Father Paradox, The Jötunn War is an alternate universe where the Norse rule the stars with restless fleets and an iron will. When the thralls rebel, turning to the artifice of Norns to help them escape their bondage, the Natural order is thrown into chaos, causing a war that will rage across the Nine Homeworlds. Will the thrall rebellion change the Norse way of life? Or will the Empire crush them with flame and fury?
 
“When we first acquired The All Father Paradox, I knew the Vikingverse setting had so much potential for trans-media storytelling,” said Outland Entertainment‘s Editor-in-Chief, Alana Joli Abbott. “To see the first comic coming into fruition is truly exciting—and while it stands alone, readers of the novel will get extra insight into some mysterious characters…”
 
“It‘s been a real delight to see the stories we started telling in The All Father Paradox take on a visceral urgency in comic form,” explained Vikingverse creator Ian Stuart Sharpe. “Norse mythology is a fascinating lens through which to take a view of the world. History is full of titanic battles, from David vs. Goliath to the Axis vs. Allies, but The Jötunn War is literally as big as it gets.”
 
The Kickstarter will support the printing and distribution of the graphic novel‘s completed first issue. Other stretch goals include upgrades of printing specs, such as a glossier cover and higher quality paper, and finally the ability to fund the printing and distribution of the second graphic novel set in the Vikingverse.
 

Missoula, MT (04/23/2019): Vault Comics is thrilled to announce SERA AND THE ROYAL STARS, a stunning new fantasy epic comic book series written by Jon Tsuei (Run Love Kill), drawn by Audrey Mok (Archie, Josie & The Pussycats), colored by Raúl Angulo (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), lettered by Jim Campbell (Wasted Space), and designed by Tim Daniel.  

Civil war rages in the Empire of Parsa, and famine has struck. As the seasons refuse to turn, Princess Sera receives a vision from the deity Mitra telling her to find the Royal Stars and restore them to the heavens. Despite her kingdom and her troops’ need of her command, Sera embarks on a quest to find the fallen stars—now trapped on earth—and save her people from dearth and death.

SERA AND THE ROYAL STARS #1 
​hits store shelves in July 2019. 

Burbank, CA –  STARBURNS INDUSTRIES PRESS ADDS “B-SQUAD” TO SUMMER LINEUP

As it heads into its sophomore year of publishing, Starburns Industries Press sets it’s eyes on remastering an independent series, B-Squad, from indie darling author Eben Burgoon and a rotating roster illustrators and artists that change issue to issue. B-Squad shares the ridiculous and dangerous missions of an expendable team of misfit mercenaries ranging from pop-culture riffs to cut from whole cloth oddballs. The bargain-bin commandos tackle leftover assignments of other more respected mercenary groups. ​

SBI Press’ run begins with a remaster of the series debut “Conspiracy in Cambodia”, originally independently published in 2013. Written by Burgoon and illustrated by Lauren Monardo, B-Squad is tasked with protecting a free-range cadre of “mugwai” from a group of radicalized hipsters who poach the furry critters for unknown gain. Series creator, Eben Burgoon, comments “I seriously can’t think of a better home for B-Squad than SBI Press. Bringing this passion project of mine to a creative-focused publisher that has a track record for making undeniably extraordinary work in so many mediums is a pinch-me caliber dream.”

Because you are a Kidrobot insider, you are getting advance notice that the Kidrobot Vault will be opening tomorrow at Kidrobot.com!  THIS IS NOT A DRILL!  The Kidrobot Spring Cleaning Vault Sale begin will start at 10am MST.  The Kidrobot elves finally watched that Marie Kondo show and cleaned the deepest corners of the vault to find some long-forgotten, hidden gems. Oh, and some recent gems too... some customs... some signed by the artist / creators...

Kidrobot.com will drop new batches of vault pieces at the following times throughout the day only: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm MST (Mountain Time).

KIDROBOT.COM
​
Due to the limited nature of these items, Kidrobot will be restricting all Vault Sale items to USA orders and limiting the number of each piece to one per customer.  Bot & high risk orders are always cancelled. All sales on Kidrobot.com are final.

IDW Publishing’s New Comic Book Miniseries
Explores Spock’s Past with Michael Burnham
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 22, 2019) – Following the shocking events of the Season Two finale, the thrills of CBS’s wildly popular Star Trek: Discovery continue in a new three-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing, Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath!

This riveting new comic book, under license by CBS Consumer Products, reunites co-writers Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson, and artist Tony Shasteen (who previously worked together on 2018’s Star Trek: Discovery – The Light of Kahless) for a storyline focused prominently on Spock. In the aftermath of the 2019 finale, everything in Discovery has changed, and as L’Rell and Pike try to negotiate a fragile peace, Spock finds himself grappling with the fallout from what happened with Michael Burnham – and the mysteries about her still left to unravel.

“The new series shows how Pike, Spock, L’Rell, and the rest of the cast deal with the fallout from the mind-blowing events of Season Two,” says Johnson. “And we couldn’t be happier that Tony Shasteen is beaming back onboard for this story!”

“To be able to follow up on the huge status-quo shift presented in that finale is a dream come true, especially with a team as talented as Kirsten, Mike, and Tony,” says editor Chase Marotz. “In terms of fitting into the broader universe presented in Discovery, this new series is perhaps our most essential yet, and I can't wait for everybody to see what we've got in store for them.”

For information on how to secure copies of Star Trek: Discovery - Aftermath, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.


Creator Bios

Kirsten Beyer is the New York Times-bestselling author of many Star Trek: Voyager novels, including A Pocket Full of Lies, Acts of Contrition, Protectors, The Eternal Tide, Children of the Storm, Unworthy, Full Circle, and String Theory: Fusion. She is also an actor for theater, movies, television, and commercials. She lives with her family in Los Angeles.

Mike Johnson has the distinction of having scripted more Star Trek comic book stories than any writer ever. Johnson's first work for IDW was in 2009, when he wrote the miniseries Star Trek: Countdown, a well-received prequel to the 2009 J.J. Abrams film. He would follow that with Khan, Starfleet Academy, Nero, the crossover Star Trek/Green Lantern, and both of IDW's ongoing Star Trek series.

Tony Shasteen has been an illustrator and graphic designer since graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Visual Communications. His work has been featured in publications such as Communication Arts, Playboy, and Spectrum. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, two sons, and as many cats as possible.


For Further Reading

Star Trek: Discovery - The Light of Kahless • FC • $15.99 • ISBN: 978-1-63140-989-9
Star Trek: Discovery - Succession • FC • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-68405-360-5


ABOUT STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY follows the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms, and one Starfleet officer who must learn that to truly understand all things alien, you must first understand yourself. The series features a new ship and new characters while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation of dreamers and doers. The first and second seasons are now available to stream on CBS All Access, CBS Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service, and is distributed concurrently by CBS Studios International on Netflix in 188 countries and in Canada on Bell Media’s Space channel and OTT service CraveTV. The series is produced by CBS Television Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.


About IDW
IDW Publishing stands proudly at the forefront of printed visual entertainment, cultivating a formidable library of world-renowned licensed brands and creator-owned original IP. Its diverse array of comic books, graphic novels, and art books deliver reading enjoyment to fans of all ages. Its award-winning imprints The Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, and Artist Editions preserve the valuable cultural history of the sequential art medium, while titles under the critically acclaimed Top Shelf and Black Crown banners celebrate fiercely independent voices. IDW Publishing is a division of IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: IDWM), a fully integrated media company with robust offerings in publishing, tabletop gaming, multimedia entertainment, and art exhibition via the San Diego Comic Art Gallery.

Discover Your First Look At The Cover And Story For The Hottest New Launch Of The Year!
     
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 20, 2019) – BOOM! Studios in partnership with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products today revealed cover art and story details for ANGEL #1, written by Bryan Hill (Detective Comics, Killmonger) with art from Gleb Melnikov  (Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers), along with visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marvel’s The Avengers), available in stores May 29, 2019. 

Meet Angel – a vampire cursed with a soul who has spent centuries protecting humanity from the monsters that lurk in the dark in an attempt to redeem himself for the crimes committed by the monster he was when he was first turned. But now, when the trail of the most recent demonic uprising takes him to Sunnydale, he realizes that the restoration of his humanity can only come if he takes one more life: a certain Slayer from Sunnydale who he’s never met…but may now be his greatest enemy. The brooding, dark vampire with a soul has just left the city of lights after marking another death on the never-ending list of debts he owes against his soul. Is he ready for one last sacrifice if it brings his long sought after peace? 

ANGEL #1 features a main cover by artist Dan Panosian (Slots, Batman: Arkham Knight) and a monster-themed variant cover by illustrator Scott Buoncristiano (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) depicting the terrifying Der Kindestod, from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer season two episode “Killed By Death.”

Created by visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Marvel’s The Avengers film franchise), Angel premiered on the WB Network on October 5th, 1999 and was a spin-off from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The series ran for five seasons from 1999-2004, starring David Boreanaz as “Angel,” the tortured vampire destined to walk the earth with a soul who moved to LA to set up shop as a supernatural private investigator. Despite Angel’s best efforts to deal with the sins of his past all by himself, Angel Investigations soon became home to other lost souls searching for redemption and willing to fight by his side.

“We got our first taste of Angel in yesterday’s game-changing BUFFY #4 and surprise release of ANGEL #0, but that’s only the start of the newly reimagined vampire’s story in this modern Buffyverse.” said Jeanine Schaefer, Executive Editor, BOOM! Studios. “The questions weighing on Angel -- the possibility of redemption, whether or not we own our own mistakes, and how we weigh the value of the lives around us versus our own -- remain extremely relevant today.  Bryan and Gleb are tackling that head on, set against the centuries long backdrop of the horrors Angel has seen and committed, revealing aspects of Angel’s history that are sure to shock longtime fans.”

ANGEL 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 from Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Bury The Lede from Gaby Dunn and Claire Roe; Grass Kings from Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins; and Klaus from Grant Morrison and Dan Mora. 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 Danielle Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of ANGEL #1 will be available for sale on May 29, 2019 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one). Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app. Print copies of the surprise drop ANGEL #0 are available now exclusively in comic book shops everywhere.

For continuing news on ANGEL comic books, graphic novels and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter. And follow Angel on Facebook.

Deluxe Edition To Contain Previously Unreleased Grateful Dead Music Available For Pre-Order At www.z2comics.com/shop/grateful-dead
Artist Noah Van Sciver Illustrates an Original History on Grateful Dead Created by Writer Chris Miskiewicz ​

 
Overwhelming Support from Fans and Retailers Marks Success for IDW Publishing’s 2019 Comic Book Relaunch
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 18, 2019) – IDW Publishing announces today that Transformers #1, the start of a bold new era of Transformers comic book continuity, has sold out at the distributor level. Due to its broad appeal, the swift sales of Transformers #1 has prompted a new printing of the issue, slated for release on June 5th.

"The response to the new Transformers series has been amazing," says editor David Mariotte. "For a franchise with such a rich history — not just here, but in so many mediums — the first issue was something we knew we had to get right and it's incredibly gratifying to me, the incredible creative team, the fine folks at Hasbro, and probably to Rubble and Bumblebee that so many people have jumped on-board. We have a lot more coming!"

Written by Brian Ruckley, author of the Godless World fantasy trilogy, and illustrated by Angel Hernandez and Cachét Whitman, the new Transformers series explores a critical time in Cybertron’s history: a world at peace, shaken by the first act of violence in generations. As a murder mystery unfolds, young Rubble and his mentor Bumblebee must come to grips with swirling conspiracies shattering the harmony of the society they hold so dear.

This bold new era of Transformers comics builds upon IDW Publishing’s fourteen years of storytelling with this beloved Hasbro brand. Delicately balancing action with startlingly personal drama, IDW’s Transformers comics have earned a fiercely loyal fanbase and much critical acclaim. The fresh new take of the bi-weekly Transformers series is designed to appeal to longtime fans and curious newcomers alike.

For information on how to secure copies of the Transformers #1 second printing (MAR198350) and subsequent issues, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.


TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2019 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro.

   


About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past eight years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).


About IDW
IDW Publishing stands proudly at the forefront of printed visual entertainment, cultivating a formidable library of world-renowned licensed brands and creator-owned original IP. Its diverse array of comic books, graphic novels, and art books deliver reading enjoyment to fans of all ages. Its award-winning imprints The Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, and Artist Editions preserve the valuable cultural history of the sequential art medium, while titles under the critically acclaimed Top Shelf and Black Crown banners celebrate fiercely independent voices. IDW Publishing is a division of IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: IDWM), a fully integrated media company with robust offerings in publishing, tabletop gaming, multimedia entertainment, and art exhibition via the San Diego Comic Art Gallery.