Archaia Previews for March 2nd, 2011

It’s another busy week for Archaia Comics, and we’ve got first look previews at 3 new books which are coming out this Wednesday!!   LUCID comes to a dramatic end for it’s first volume, as DAYS MISSING: KESTUS wind down towards it’s exciting finale, while AN ELEGY FOR AMELIA JOHNSON joins the prestigious line of Archaia OGNs that we’ve seen lately.  Hit the appropriate link below for previews of all 3 books!

An Elegy for Amelia Johnson Preview

AN ELEGY FOR AMELIA JOHNSON Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $14.95 U.S.
Page Count: 128 pages
Format: hardcover, 5.25” x 8.25”, black and white
On-sale Date: March 2, 2011
Written by Andrew Rostan
Illustrated by Dave Valeza and Kate Kasenow
Cover by Dave Valeza

In her 30 years on earth, Amelia Johnson has touched many lives with her compassion, intelligence and spirit. Now, at the end of a yearlong battle with cancer, she asks her two closest friends to take her final messages to the people who have touched her life the most. Henry Barrons is a cocky, Oscar Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose demeanor hides deep insecurities. Jillian Webb is an acclaimed magazine writer with an inability to make long-term commitments. They set out across the country to fulfill Amelia’s dying wish...and end up learning more about her—and themselves—than they ever imagined. Andrew Rostan, Dave Valeza and Kate Kasenow deliver a meditation on loving and forgiving those close to us in their moving graphic novel debut.
T+13 (contains material suitable for teen readers ages 13 and above)

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Days Missing Kestus #4 Preview

DAYS MISSING: KESTUS #4 (OF 5)
Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.
Page Count: 32 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale Date: March 2, 2011
Written by Phil Hester
Illustrated by David Marquez
Cover by David Mack

Archaia and Roddenberry Productions continue the history-making series DAYS MISSING! January 1st, 2000—the dawn of a new century came and went without incident. Or did it? On a day of fear and uncertainty, excitement and anticipation, with billions of dollars spent in preparation and humanity’s way of life hanging in the balance, The Steward encounters a true-life super villain bent on bringing the horror of Y2K to the world. Since the dawn of mankind, the enigmatic Steward has guided our destiny in solitude. But now he’s not alone—the immortal woman known as Kestus leads a secret society capable of predicting The Steward’s comings and goings. How will they affect the impending Y2K disaster? DAYS MISSING: KESTUS #4 adds another chapter to the thrilling exploits of The Steward, a being whose ability to “fold” days of time has resulted in critical human events being absent from our historical record. Although their existence is not remembered…the occurrences of these days have forever changed the course of Earth’s evolution!
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)

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Lucid #4 Preview

LUCID #4 (OF 4)
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale Date: March 2, 2011
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk

The first LUCID miniseries comes to a shocking climax as Agent Matthew Dee and Wren confront the New Pendragon! Can they stop his terrible kingdom from rising before it is too late? What insane new weapon threatens mage-kind? What does fate hold in store for President Monday? What horrible secret lurks in the bowels of Tintagel Castle? And just what is up with Matthew’s girlfriend? Don’t miss the spectacular conclusion!
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)

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DOCTOR WHO Goes MMO!

I’m not too big into MMOs.  I’m thrilled that they’re currently leaning towards a Free To Play model, but…ugh.  Finding people to group with, hours of grinding, and of course all those jackasses on the Internet.  You know who you are.

But today it was announced that the BBC and and Puzzle Pirates developer Three Rings are teaming up for a free to play MMO based on the Doctor Who franchise called Doctor Who: Worlds in Time (and no, the above screenshot is not from Worlds in Time, it’s from the recently released and fairly decent Doctor Who Adventures game series) and…well, I’m surprisingly okay with this.  I mean, come on; getting to go into the TARDIS, journey to wherever in time and space, and then causing general mischief?  It does raise some questions continuity wise about why The Doctor is suddenly so lax about who gets to ride in the TARDIS, but who cares!

Press Release from BBC and Three Rings follows.  We’ll update with more as we get it.

BBC WORLDWIDE and THREE RINGS Join forces for FIRST EVER DOCTOR WHO MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAME

Los Angeles – February 24, 2011 – Leading up to the San Francisco Game Developers Conference (GDC), BBC Worldwide today announced a major new partnership with game developer Three Rings to create BBC Worldwide’s first ever free-to-play multiplayer online game centered around blockbuster drama television show, Doctor Who. For the first time ever, players from around the world will be able to follow in the footsteps of the eccentric and brilliant Doctor by travelling through time and space, exploring new worlds and encountering many alien races, both friend and foe.

Titled Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, the game allows players to enter the TARDIS and be set a challenge by the mysterious Time Lord to help him defend civilized culture against infamous Doctor Who enemies.

Robert Nashak, EVP Digital Entertainment at BBC Worldwide says, “Doctor Who: Worlds in Time will be a free-to-play multiplayer online game that invites players to save the universe by using their wits to solve time-bending puzzles and pulse-pounding challenges. Three Rings is the ideal team for this groundbreaking creative partnership. Not only are they visionaries in the online gaming space, they are lifelong Doctor Who fans with a passion for delivering the level of quality that our players will expect and deserve.”

Daniel James, CEO Three Rings says, “Three Rings is delighted and honored to have the opportunity to create an online game based on Doctor Who. Our goal with ‘Words in Time’ is to capture the imaginative spirit and depth of the series, whilst being fun and easy to play for all ages.”

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time is developed to be both highly engaging and fun, allowing players to socialize and foster genuine cooperation, building a global community where fans worldwide will now be able to experience firsthand the exciting action and adventure synonymous with Doctor Who. Development is well underway and is expected to launch later this year. Doctor Who is one of BBC Worldwide’s flagship brands, and is increasingly popular around the globe. The program in its current incarnation has been sold to over 50 territories worldwide and debuted to a record audience on BBC AMERICA. The show has a proud award-winning history, with over 65 awards including BAFTA’s for Best Drama and Best Writer, and it also holds the Guinness World Record for Most Successful Sci-Fi show of all time. On top of this, the brand now has over 55 licensees signed in the UK alone.

In 2010, Doctor Who Live played to over 130,000 fans across the UK, and the Doctor Who Experience just opened to fans at London’s Olympia. In 2010, the first ever Doctor Who gaming app, Doctor Who: Mazes of Time was released and featured as iPad ‘Game of the Week’ on launch as well as Doctor Who: The Adventure Games which is available for PC download. Both BBC Worldwide and Three Rings will be available at the Game Developers Conference next week.

The RAW Reactor #25: Turbo Charged Desert Rose

He'll Be Watching You...

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Sting didn’t show up last night much like everyone hoped, which is kind of a shame; I was really hoping for a Police reunion at WrestleMania.  What?  Wrong Sting?  Oh, right.

There probably should have been more mention of the fact that this is our 25th podcast, and that two weeks ago was the one year anniversary of the podcast, but the outrageous build up to Sting’s debut which was actually Undertaker’s return which was actually HHH’s return kind of killed that.

To those who were looking to hear Derek rant after Sting didn’t show up, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  To those of you who were looking for Sting to show up, you’re probably going to be nodding and/or ranting right along with him.  All this, and a new theme song!

Archaia Announces Free Comic Book Day Offerings

Updated with issue solicitation.

We’ve gotten a look at Archaia’s upcoming offering; it’s a flip book, much like last year’s Fraggle Rock/Mouse Guard book.  This year it’s Mouse Guard and a look at the upcoming The Dark Crystal story they’ll be publishing.  It’ll also contain the first glimpse at the upcoming OGN A Tale of Sand, which is based on a recently discovered, unused Jim Henson script.  The book will be available at most comic retailers on Free Comic Book Day, which will be May 7th.

MOUSE GUARD/THE DARK CRYSTAL Free Comic Book Day Flipbook
Retail Price: Free
Page Count: 32 pages
Format: saddle bound, 8” x 8”, full color
Release Date: May 7, 2011
(W) David Petersen and Brian Holguin
(A) David Petersen and Alex Sheikman
(Cov) The Dark Crystal – Brian Froud; Mouse Guard – David Petersen

Archaia presents two, amazing, all-new stories in one fantastic flipbook—David Petersen’s Eisner Award-winning MOUSE GUARD and Jim Henson’s beloved THE DARK CRYSTAL share the spotlight on Free Comic Book day! On one side of the book, a brand-new tale of the fan-favorite MOUSE GUARD, elite warrior mice tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It’s the perfect introduction to MOUSE GUARD for new fans, and a rewarding treat for existing ones! On the other side of the book, Archaia Entertainment is proud to present an exclusive prelude to its forthcoming series of THE DARK CRYSTAL graphic novels, featuring covers, art direction and concepts by Brian Froud, conceptual designer of the original film! This prelude begins the epic creation story of the world of Thra, and explores the origins of the world of THE DARK CRYSTAL!

As a bonus, the issue will also contain a sneak peek of Jim McCann and Janet Lee’s TIME OF THE DAPPER MEN, a sequel to the critically acclaimed RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, coming this fall. Additionally, fans of Jim Henson will also get an advance look at TALE OF SAND, an original graphic novel coming in September based on a never-before-seen screenplay written by Henson and Jerry Juhl!

Indie Comics Magazine #2: Full LineUp Announced [Press Release]

PRESS RELEASE:

Full Lineup Announced for the Indie Comics Magazine #2

Aazurn Publishing has announced the full lineup of the second edition of the new Indie Comics Magazine, scheduled NOW for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors’ February 2011 Previews catalog and available ONLY through Previews.

“I’m very pleased with the diverse styles and storytelling techniques in this issue,” said Editor Gary Scott Beatty, “and I’m happy to be able to introduce readers to talented comic book pros with regional fan bases that deserve wider audiences.”

Appearing in this issue is Mike Kitchen (Spy Guy), Alonzo Washington (Omega 7), Tim Vigil (Faust), Terry Cronin (Students of the Unusual), Michael Marcus and George McVey (Pulp Dreams, IF-X), Gary Scott Beatty (Jazz: Cool Birth), and Blair Kitchen (The Possum).

The cover to #2 features a full color painting by Tom Kelly (DC’s Zuda).

Indie Comics Magazine features done-in-one stories so readers can get a feel for what the featured creators can do, said Beatty. Short biographies and contact information are included so readers can easily seek out more of the creators’ work. “These details make Indie Comics Magazine a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of independent comics. We help readers cut through the reviews and hype to experience these creators’ raw talent.”

Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today’s independent comic book creators. No huge overprint, no digital version, no back issue sales, February’s Previews is the ONLY way comic readers can get Indie Comics Magazine #2! Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

Archaia PR: ‘DAPPER MEN’ MORE POPULAR THAN EVER!

PRESS RELEASE:

‘RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN’ IS MORE POPULAR THAN EVER!

RETAILERS AND FANS CAN RE-ORDER THE BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Los Angeles, CA (February 17, 2011) – A recent spike in sales of Archaia’s critically acclaimed original graphic novel RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN has proven that the book has become increasingly popular since it was first published in November 2010, and with the second printing of the book now healthily in stock, retailers and readers can re-order the book with confidence.

As an example, during the weekend of February 5-6, 2011, sales of RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN on Amazon.com soared to its highest volume yet, ranking at #7 in the Graphic Novels category (#2 in the Fantasy sub-category), and breaking the top 1,000 of books overall, thanks in part to a review of the book on “The Totally Rad Show,” which can be seen at this link: http://revision3.com/trs/dapperman.

“The continued support and love that fans have expressed for this book along with the positive word of mouth it’s still getting months after release continues to astound and humble Janet and I as creators,” said Jim McCann, writer of RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN. “We’ve had everything from starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal to major newspapers and webcasts, and all have been overwhelming in their praise. It’s exciting to see as we begin work on the second volume of the Dapper Men trilogy, TIME OF THE DAPPER MEN.”

A visual tour de force, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN (hardcover, full color, 128 pages, 9.5” x 11”, $24.95), is the debut graphic novel from the minds of award-winning writer Jim McCann (Hawkeye & Mockingbird) and critically acclaimed gallery artist Janet Lee (Emma). A modern twist on classic fairy tales, this is a story about growing up, childhood fears and examining the origins of a world and the things that inhabit it. The incredible decoupage art style combines steampunk fantasy and science fiction with Art Nouveau for a truly unique and groundbreaking book, all sharply dressed in a pinstripe suit and a dapper bowler hat.

“It’s great to see that even a few months after release, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN is selling stronger than ever,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “We’re happy that Jim and Janet have truly launched a new Archaia franchise with this title, and we can’t wait for readers to see what they’re cooking up for TIME OF THE DAPPER MEN and WORLD OF THE DAPPER MEN, the next two books in the DAPPER trilogy.”

Retailers: RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN is currently available for re-order. Diamond customers, use Order Code: SEP10 0782. For others, use the book’s ISBN: 978-1932386905.

Fans: RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN is available at your local comics shop (LCS) or wherever books are sold. To find an LCS nearest you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com/, or call 1-888-COMIC-BOOK.

About Archaia

Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. Archaia is: Artesia, Awakening, Beautiful Scars, Berona’s War, The Black Knight, Bleedout, Critical Millennium, Cyclops, The Dark Crystal, Dark Fall, Days Missing, The Devil’s Handshake, An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, The Engineer, Everlast, Feeding Ground, Fraggle Rock, God Machine, The Grave Doug Freshley, Gunnerkrigg Court, Hybrid Bastards!, Inanna’s Tears, Johnny Recon, The Killer, Killing Pickman, Labyrinth, The Lone and Level Sands, Lucid, Miranda Mercury, Moon Lake, Mouse Guard, Mr. Murder Is Dead, Okko, One in a Million, Primordia, Return of the Dapper Men, Robotika, Saga, The Secret History, Some New Kind of Slaughter, Starkweather: Immortal, Syndrome, A Tale of Sand, Titanium Rain, Trial By Fire, and Tumor.

For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/archaiacomics), Twitter (twitter.com/archaiacomics) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ArchaiaEntertainment).

New THOR Theatrical Trailer Is Kind Of Amazing

We’ve been looking forward to THOR.  Despite a few odd costuming decisions, the movie still sounds awesome.  I mean, c’mon; Kirby-esque Asgardians, as directed by Kenneth Branagh?  I’m already sold.  But today, we got a full theatrical trailer, and I mean…holy crap.  If this is the tone and angle the movie is going for, then I’m sold.

As with the previous trailers, my only issue comes with the “IN 3D” at the end, which kind of makes me roll my eyes.  Still, I’m really looking forward to this flick.

Adrianne Palicki is WONDER WOMAN

David E. Kelly’s WONDER WOMAN reboot has been rather hit or miss, but it’s now being confirmed that Friday Night Light’s star Adrianne  Palicki has been cast in the lead role of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, and a pilot has been  green lit.

Aside from Friday Night Lights, Palicki also had a role in the 2007 Aquaman pilot.