Author: Glenn Hauman

IDW to publish Deluxe editions of Archie Comics

IDW Publishing has announced a partnership with Archie Comics to reprint some of the property’s most iconic stories in deluxe hardcover and trade paperback editions. Under the agreement, IDW will reprint sequential newspaper strips for the first time, offer multiple collections of the very best Archie comics material from the past seven decades, and add to the brand’s digital presence. The newspaper strip collections will be incorporated into the much-lauded Library of American Comics (Dick Tracy, The Complete Terry & the Pirates) helmed by Eisner award-winner Dean Mullaney.

Coming of age in post-World War II America, Archie captured the hearts of generations of children and adults. Archie and his friends remain hugely popular today, appealing to comic fans new and old with a blend of timeless stories and classic Americana style. Many popular comic book writers and artists cite Archie as their inspiration to work in the genre. Legendary comic book artist Neal Adams did his first professional work on Archie.

“We are incredibly excited to be working with Archie Comics,” said Greg Goldstein, IDW’s chief operating officer. “There are very few comics as influential in popular culture as Archie, and we are looking forward to offering original, never-before-reprinted strips and a wealth of comic book material to fans.”

In addition to reprinting original strips by series creator John Goldwater and original artist Bob Montana, IDW will also present Best Of volumes that showcase the work of Archie artists, such as Montana, Dan DeCarlo, and Stan Goldberg. “Archie has had so many talented artists throughout its history, each with their own take on the characters,” said Goldstein. “We want to offer fans the best from each of those eras, especially since much of this material has not been in print since its original publication.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with IDW Publishing on these important historical works. IDW is well known for their outstanding work and we look forward to working closely with the team at IDW to create a line that all past, present and future Archie fans will enjoy,” commented co-CEO Jon Goldwater.

IDW will also publish special collections of Archie’s Madhouse and Archie as Pureheart the Powerful, a comedic super hero series that ran during the 1960’s. Award-winning creative director and editor Craig Yoe will oversee many of these special volumes.

Exclusive ‘Dollhouse’ Season 1 DVD for San Diego Comic-Con, 1st look at ‘Epitaph One’

dollhouse-season-1-6601743In a studio first, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is offering fans of Joss Whedon’s mysterious cult series Dollhouse a chance to purchase a special advanced limited edition Blu-ray or DVD of the first season, exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con International. Individually numbered and highly collectible, only 5000 (2500 Blu-ray/2500 DVD) copies were created, each featuring a personal letter to fans from Whedon, exclusive Comic-Con packaging, and a first look at the unaired episode “Epitaph One”.

Available for pre-order at FoxStore.com beginning Monday, July 6 at 10:00 AM PST (oh noes, thirty minutes from now!!!) through July 20 (or until product is sold out), a limited quantity will also be available for on-site purchase at the Fox Booth (#1429).  In person pick-up for those that pre-ordered the collection will begin at the Fox Booth on Wednesday, July 22 (preview night).  Photo ID is required or purchasers must designate at checkout someone who will pick-up the DVD on their behalf.

The Dollhouse Season One Comic-Con Blu-ray Disc will be available for a suggested retail price of $69.99 and the DVD will be available for $49.98.  Regular versions of Dollhouse Season One BD and DVD will be available everywhere July 28.

Here’s an introductory video from Joss, spelling it all out:

‘Doctor Who’ movie with David Tennant coming?

david-tennant-2698827That’s the latest rumor kicking around everywhere across the web– that there might be a new Doctor Who movie that, if the rumors are correct, would star David Tennant as the Doctor and that the movie will be officially announced later this month at Comic-Con in San Diego, like everything else in the world.

The rumors also have former Doctor Who writer/executive producer Russell T. Davies involved in the project, and both he and David Tennant are rumored to be showing up at San Diego… are they showing up for a victory lap, or is there something bigger going on? Hmm… IDW is doing the Doctor Who comic, maybe they know something.

Webcomics.com debuts new look as Brad Guigar models for DC Comics

Congrats to Brad Guigar of Evil Inc. and the rest of his evil crew (Kris Black, Josh Price, and a minyan of minions) on the relaunch of Webcomics.com.

And yet, with all this, Brad somehow found the time to appear on the cover of this month’s Jack Of Fables. If I was British, I’d put this in a Swipe File…

Happy Independence Day! Celebrate with fireworks between Mark Waid and Gail Simone!

Why not celebrate it by reading the Twitterwar battle of patriots between ex-Captain America writer Mark Waid and Wonder Woman scribe Gail Simone? Lots of fireworks here:

  • Simone/Waid
    Twitterwar FACT: Mark Waid has been arrested TWICE for giving CrossGen
    comics to CHILDREN. “EVIL!” says local crack dealer!
  • Simone/Waid Twitterwar FACT: Simone gifted by Dave Gibbons with original Watchmen covers, uses them as placemats. IT’S TRUE.
  • Simone/Waid Twitterwar Update: Waid needs grocery list, Peyer and Augustyn write most of it.
  • Simone/Waid Twitterwar FACT: At least WAID pays HIS ghostwriters in something other than old copies of ROSE & THORN.

I haven’t seen a scuffle like this since the Joss Whedon/Warren Ellis slapfight of ’06.

We, of course, will continue to monitor the fighting as long as safety allows.

We’d ask “Whose side are you on?” but the last time we did that, the guy with the shield died. On the other hand, he’ll be better soon, so feel free to exercise your right of free speech in the comments section.

The second coming of Comico? CO2 comics comes online

As a company that has strong ties to the 80’s independent comics scene, with us publishing stuff from First Comics and Eclipse, we’re really happy to hear that Bill Cucinotta and Gerry Giovinco are getting back into the game with CO2 Comics, a web comics publishing site developed by the former Comico partners and publishers.

Making the jump from print to pixels is an exciting adventure for the pair who were instrumental in laying the groundwork for Comico the Comic Company, which was one of the most dynamic and influential independent comic publishers during the 1980’s featuring such titles as Mage, Grendel, Elementals, Robotech, Jonny Quest, Gumby, Starblazers, and Space Ghost.

The project is quickly turning into a reunion of Comico artists. Besides works by Cucinotta and Giovinco, comics are presented featuring the talents of Chris Kalnick, Joe Williams, Andrew C. Murphy, Reggie Byers, Bernie Mireault, Bill Anderson, Rich Rankin and Neil Vokes.

We look forward to seeing what they’re up to.

One more tragic connection between Michael Jackson and comics

The one Michael Jackson comics reference I haven’t seen mentioned yet is from Wasteland #16 from DC Comics, in a story entitled “Heartshadow” written by John Ostrander and drawn by Rick Magyar. It’s a story where a young fan of “a dark prince named Michael” commits suicide.

Now, in the wake of Jackson’s death, reports are coming in of Michael Jackson fans committing suicide:

Fans of MICHAEL JACKSON have
been hit hard by the star’s death – 12 devotees have allegedly killed
themselves following the tragic news.

The King Of Pop passed away on Thursday (25Jun09) from a cardiac arrest and millions of his fans worldwide went into mourning.

But several of them found it too hard to cope and subsequently
ended their own lives, according to the founder of an online Jackson
fanclub.

Gary Taylor, president and owner of MJJcommunity.com, says, “I
know there has been an increase (in deaths), I now believe the figure
is 12. It is a serious situation that these people are going through
but Michael Jackson would never want this. He would want them to live.

“They (fans) can’t accept it, they feel in some sort of different
reality. I’m stunned that he’s dead. One minute he is coming here for
concerts and the next he is gone. I think the funeral will be where the
reality kicks in that he is gone and won’t be coming back, there will
be a huge depression in the fan community when that happens.”

2009 Harvey Awards nominees announced

harvey-logo01fullcol1nom-8226752The 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry’s most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented October 10, 2009 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators – those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Professionals who participate will be joining nearly 2,000 other comics professionals in honoring the outstanding comics achievements of 2008. Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Friday, August 28, 2009. Full details for submission of completed ballots can be found on the final ballot. Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field. Final ballots are available for download at www.harveyawards.org. Those without Internet access may request that paper ballots be sent to them via mail or fax by calling the Baltimore Comic-Con (410-526-7410) or e-mailing baltimorecomicccon@yahoo.com.

This will be the fourth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD. Our Master of Ceremonies this year will be Scott Kurtz. Look for more details soon on how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. The ceremony and banquet for the 2008 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10.

The full ballot is listed below.

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Michael Jackson tribute comic from Bluewater

The company that made all those quick political comics is at it again:

‘TRIBUTE: MICHAEL JACKSON, KING OF POP COMIC BOOK OFFERS LASTING REMEMBRANCE FOR FANS FROM BLUEWATER

To millions he was the King of Pop; one of the world’s most
cherished entertainers and a celebrated international icon. With his
untimely passing, Michael Jackson left an extraordinary and tragic
legacy. Bluewater Productions is paying tribute in October to his
memory and legacy with a special collectors edition biography comic.

The newest addition to the publisher’s critically acclaimed
biography library will trace Jackson’s rise as a musical prodigy with
the “Jackson 5” through last Thursdays sad end. The book will feature
highlights from his storied career and cover his enigmatic private life.

“Michael Jackson’s music served as the soundtrack to countless lives…including mine,” said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis, “His influence on our culture has been profound.”

“TRIBUTE: Michael Jackson, King of Pop,” features a wraparound cover
and foreword by “The Official Michael Jackson Fan Club’s” Giuseppe
Mazzola. Mazzola was also Jackson’s personal friend. The issue is being
written by Wey-Yuih Loh, (Political Power: Colin Powell” and “Political
Power: Joe Biden) and illustrated by Giovanni Timpano (Vincent Price Presents). Noted cover artist Vinnie Tartamella will also provide an alternate wraparound cover.

On the bright side, there won’t be a comic three years down the line where Michael returns because he was in a cave at the beginning of time. Probably.