BOOM! STUDIOS TO DISTRIBUTE AVATAR PRESS TO THE BOOK TRADE

BOOM! STUDIOS
TO DISTRIBUTE
AVATAR PRESS
TO THE BOOK TRADE
VIA SIMON & SCHUSTER AND
HARPERCOLLINS CANADA

March 23rd, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – BOOM! Studios announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Avatar Press to distribute their graphic novels to the book trade.  This agreement will see BOOM! distributing Avatar in the United States via BOOM!’s existing relationship with Simon & Schuster and Canadian distribution through BOOM!’s existing relationship with HarperCollins Canada.

The new BOOM! Studios/Avatar mass market partnership sees two of the top ten Direct Market publishers teaming up for a unique relationship, extending both brands into the mass market.

“The Avatar library is an excellent compliment to the existing BOOM! list that doesn't cannibalize our Studios and KABOOM! offerings, but rounds out what we are already doing,” said Founder and CEO of BOOM! Studios Ross Richie.  “Avatars’ CEO William Christensen is a brilliant businessman and has a proven track record of great Direct Market success.  Avatar has great growth potential in the mass market book trade, and we look forward to being an excellent partner in their continued expansion!”

"Distributing via BOOM!, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins Canada enables Avatar to bring its world-renowned, best-selling catalog of the biggest creators in the business to a wider audience," said Avatar Press Publisher William Christensen. "Top talent like Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and Garth Ennis continue to show sales growth and fan interest."

Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Canada begin distribution of Avatar Press' eclectic line of independent graphic novels on March 21, 2011 and will also begin accepting returns as of that date. Diamond Book Distributors Inc. will continue to accept returns for all Avatar Press books up until March 20, 2011.

BOOM! Studios began distributing their original and licensed graphic novels through Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Canada in July 2009.

Avatar Press is known for publishing such comic book luminaries as Alan Moore (NEONOMICON), Warren Ellis (FREAKANGELS, BLACK SUMMER), and Garth Ennis (CROSSED, CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD), as well as New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin (FEVRE DREAM) and licensed comics based on George A. Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.

Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats.  Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  For more information, please visit www.simonandschuster.com.

HarperCollins Canada publishes fiction, non-fiction, and books for children, as well as religious and reference books. HarperCollins imprints in Canada include HarperCollins, Harper Perennial, HarperTrophyCanada, Collins, and Phyllis Bruce Books. These imprints publish many of Canada’s finest writers, including Bonnie Burnard, Charlotte Gray, Lawrence Hill, Barbara Kingsolver and Kenneth Oppel as well as writers and leading authorities from Canada and around the world, such as Nick Cave, Tim Flannery, Theo Fleury, J.L. Granatstein, and General Rick Hillier. For more information, please visit http://www.harpercollins.ca.

About Avatar Press
Avatar Press is a leading independent company publishing a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels by the most talented and celebrated creators in the industry. Among their fine products are highly-regarded creator-owned titles such as George R.R. Martin’s FEVRE DREAM, Alan Moore’s NEONOMICON and WRITING FOR COMICS, Warren Ellis’ FREAKANGELS and BLACK SUMMER, and Garth Ennis’ CROSSED and CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD, as well as licensed comic projects including George A. Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. For more information about Avatar Press and their publications, please visit www.avatarpress.com or contact info@avatarpress.net.

About BOOM! Studios
Award-winning "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent, including Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE, Stan Lee's SOLDIER ZERO, THE TRAVELER, and STARBORN (the first new series in print from the industry icon in 20 years), new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker as well as 20th Century Fox's PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and DIE HARD, Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, and The Henson Company's FARSCAPE. BOOM!'s recently rebranded all-ages imprint, kaboom! will see publication of PEANUTS, SPACE WARPED, Roger Langridge's SNARKED!, Scholastic's WORD GIRL and DUCK TALES, as well as continuing to publish fan-favorite Disney Afternoon series DARKWING DUCK, CHIP 'N' DALE RESCUE RANGERS along with Disney standards MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE, and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. 

This is very cool news. We love Avatar press and making their books easier to get is great news

The Starman Omnibus Editions

When I first read the Starman series is was really happy with the ending, but sad to see the end. James Robinson did such a great job with the series. He took a character from the 40's which i only had a passing interest in,  reading about Starman in reprints of the old stories and he added new characters and basically made Starman and his son hip.

The series focuses on Jack Knight, the family member who went his own way, not wanting anything to do with his Dad Ted or the Starman legacy. but when push comes to shove Jack steps up and defends his family. And in truth a big part of the series is about jack and his extended family. It's also about his growing up and understanding his Father and who he was.

Volume six of this series of Omnibus editions is out and it is really something to behold. Things that seem to have been running under the surface for the whole run come out in the open. We discover more about the Shade in a big battle royal, the final fate of the Mist, Jack spends time with his Brother and they come to understand each other, and jack finally decides what to do with his life. It's a book of endings and beginnings.

And the ending, it's perfect. Jack is happy and you are happy for him. And the lead in to the ending wraps up everything.

In addition to the great writing in this series was the art. This final volume is no exception. Peter Snejbjerg is so good and he handles huge fight scenes with detail and the small scenes with class. It should almost be available without words also so you can just enjoy the art.

Called one of the best comic series of the last few decades, and with good reason, this is quite simply story telling at it's best.

Order volume one of STARMAN OMNIBUS

Order  volume six of STARMAN OMNIBUS

The Doom Patrol

When I first started reading comics I don't think Doom Patrol had a regular title. I would catch occasional reprint stories and always enjoyed the strange team. As I grew older and had more money to spend (on comics) the new Teen Titans including Beast Boy Gar Logan helped to bring around a bit of new interest in the team. 

 They made a come back with new members and of course Robotman Cliff Steele. This new team grew and brought new heroes into the DC universe. Eventually they too were killed and some forgotten. But it was this ending that brought about the run on the team's stories by Grant Morrison, that mad crazy man who took a team that was kinda fun and nobody really knew what to do with and turned it into some thing edgy and incredible and surreal. I never missed and issue and have all the collections.

The current state of this team has them in their own title again which has just hit #18. I just read this latest issue (as I have the ones leading to it) and I have to see say that Doom Patrol is at the top of my stack to read first each time it comes out. I love what Keith Giffen is doing with the team. It's edgy with out being kinda creepy like Morrison was (though it was a cool creepy). It is also a bit darker and feels more real somehow because of the attitude of the players. These are misfits, there is no mistaking that, but recently they are operating without the controlling mind of the Chief, that wheelchair bound crazy man who in recent history has gone REALLY crazy.

I can't get enough. Cliff is pissed, Rita is mad as Hell and not going to take it any more and Larry is just, well, kinda batty. I love Bumblebee being more involved. And I love them being part of the madness of Oolong island.

Have I mentioned the art? It's really awesome. Matthew Clark and Ron Randall are kicking ass here and I flat out LOVE the facial expressions.  Even the body language is perfect.

If you haven't been reading this book go and get a few issues. You'll be glad you did. Keith Giffen is doing what he does best, telling stories that he loves.

Or pick up a couple trade collections:

Doom Patrol: We Who Are About To Die

Doom Patrol: Brotherhood

End of 2010 wrap up

It was a good year to be a comics fan, a lot of great reading to be had.

I want to list a few trade releases I didn't get a chance to cover earlier.

BATMAN AND ROBIN: BATMAN VS ROBIN

DC Comics

The second volume of Grant Morrison's refreshing new Batman and Robin team. At first I was disappointed when Frank Quietly left the book, but the truth is the art is still terrific. Cameron Stewart, Andy Clarke, Scott Hanna and Dustin Ngugyen have been doing a great job.

The dynamic of a Dick Grayson batman and Damian as Robin is almost more refreshing than it should be. The wise cracks from Robin seem more hip and a bit darker, if not at time psychotic.It is also very apparent that Damian is indeed changing and likes his new life. Morrison is also coming classic Batman lore and creating new lore along with new villains. It all feels seemless and seems like it's always been there, I just hadn't read it yet. Once again DC has taken a character that has been around a long time and made it feel new.

CHEW Volume Three: Just Desserts

Image

Chew has very quickly become one of my favorite books. Image seems to be doing a nice job of bringing in creator owned properties, which is nice because the stuff from the original founders just doesn't seem all that great anymore, but that's a discussion for another time.

CHEW is set in a world where people are banned from eating meat.As such the FDA has become more important in law enforcement. Tony Chu is a special agent, in more ways than one. Tony is a cibopath, which means when he eats something he gets a psychic read from whatever he eats, including some really disgusting things.

In this third volume Tony has a new girl friend who has a strange foos pwer of her own, the ability to describe food perfectly which makes her a perfect food critic. The story has homages to The Freshman, an old Mathew Brodrick movie that had people eating rare animals, and also Pulp Fiction with Bad Ass seventies style cops under cover. We meet Tony's family (including a surprise) and there is more on Tony's ex-partner who has gone rogue. A great book that is loads of fun.

FABLES The Deluxe Edition Volume 2

Vertigo

If you read the series you don't need me to tell you how great it is. If you don't read it, trust me, go grab Volume one right now. The deluxe editions are really nice, new forwards from Bill Willingham, a bit of extras at the back, but more than anything else, bigger and hardcover. These books will last for years. And with all the re-reads they get that is a real plus.

GHOST RIDER - THE ROAD TO DAMNATION

Marvel

This came out a few years ago, but I just got around to reading it. Garth Ennis tells a crazy tale that involves angels and demons and a lot of violence. People making deals with demons thinking they can come out ahead, and angels who are a bit too vengeful.  In other words, loads of fun. The art by Clayton Crain is really sharp and dark and perfect for Ghost Rider. If you are a fan of Garth Ennis, (and why wouldn't you be?) you need to pick this up.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: THE GREAT DARKNESS SAGA

DC Comics

One of the first comics I ever bought with my own money was Legion of Super-Heroes, I think it was still technically Adventure Comics at the time, or maybe Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. It was with this title that I first started to follow creators. Mike Grell very early on became one of my favorites (and still is) but I also started to pay attention to who the writers were. A lot of great names have written the Legion over the years, Jim Shooter, Mark Waid, Gerry Conway and more. For my money the two best writers the title ever had were Paul Levitz and Keith Giffin. This book has both of them working on the Legion and it is one of my all time favorite comic stories EVER. I still have the original issues.

The deluxe hardcover is beautiful. It's big and bold and awesome glossy paper. It also has the complete story in all it's glory. The Legion going through some real changes and one of the best eras of the team. The build up is spectacular and the payoff huge. Darkseid never looked more formidable and by the time we actually see him full on the story has built such suspense and tension that it is almost a relief. More than any other villian Darkseid put the Legion through the paces and almost took them out.

A truly classic story that is every bit as good today as it was when I had to read it monthly.

MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA

Marvel

I don't think I have ever read something by Kurt Busiek that I didn't like. I loved the Avengers he did, I love his work at DC and I am a slave to ASTRO CITY.  The original Marvels was a great idea and wonderfully executed. It was also a very ambitious project retelling the origin of the modern Marvel universe from the eyes of a man on the street. As told by co-writer Roger Stern in the intro, this was also a major undertaking. And the effort made to get things right shows.Phil Sheldon , our photographer friend from the first book is back and the world has changed, he's changed too. The superheroes aren't all bright and shiny like they were and things seem darker. He decides to leave a legacy in a second volume of his book of photos but the publisher wants to cover the bad guys. Phil eventually Comes to terms with his mortality and does things his way. This is a great book, not just because I did reading about superheroes, but because at it's hear this is a story about being human.

POWERS Volume 13 : Z

ICON

I came to this series late, I think I started right after volume 9 came out. It was cool because I could power read the first nine trades back to back. I love the art, Michael Avon Oeming has such a wonderful style at play on this series. And the coloring is always perfect. Powers also has Brian Michael Bendis kicking ass. This is  creator owned so the freedom to do what they want really shines through. Bendis is always good with dialogue, but he really shines on POWERS.

This latest collection has our detectives working a murder case of a golden age hero, one with ties to Detective Walker's past. In WWII he was part of a group of heroes that eventually took out Hitler. Now one of them is dead and as we learn in flashbacks, these dudes weren't always heroic.

If you dig this series you'll like the latest collection. And it leads into the return of Deena Pilgrim!

SECRET SIX: DANSE MACABRE

DC Comics

Gail Simone. Oh Gail Simone, if only we could clone you so you could write even more book each month. Everything she does is magic.Secret Six initially felt like something that would be an interesting mini series but I would never had thought it would maintain as a monthly comic. I have been happily proven wrong by Gail Simone.She brings the root of good story telling to the book, characters you care about, or at the very least want to know more about. In a very short time she has got me invested in these characters who for the most part, to be honest, were really cast offs. With fleshed out history and a look at who they really are I now can't get enough.

The Secret Six is a group of bad guys who do work for hire. They have a mysterious benefactor who goes by the name Mockingbird (Just like the original version). However the team has taken their own dynamic to what they do.

In this collection, co-written by the awesome John Ostrander,  they are hired to bust someone out of Belle Revee prison, one of the most secure place to house supervillians. Also home to the Suicide Squad. Much fighting ensues, which is made more fun by the addition of dead bad guys being re animated by the Black Lanterns.

Loads of great art by Peter Nguyen and J Calafiore make the battle scenes jump off the page. Great book.

SUPERMAN EARTH ONE

DC

I have been a fan of J. Michael Straczynski since I discovered Babylon Five on DVD, but his comics career has been kind of hit and miss.However with this retelling of the Superman story I think he has a homerun. In this version Clark is reluctant to become a public figure, Hell, he doesn't even want to be a hero. He's a young man who is unsure where to go and as a result is looking into a lot of different ways to leave his mark on the world and take care of his Mom. Of course he does eventually come around to the costume, but the journey he takes is fresh and well told, and that's something for a character that's been around as long as Superman has.

SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI

DC Comics

I remeber when this book came out in the super sized giant edition. I used to love those huge comics. And this is one that really is deserving of a reprint.

Neal Adams does some incredible work here and the art is amazing. The story that he and Denny O'Neil came up with really works and makes the team-up between Ali and Superman work. There is a new intro by Adams and a really nice afterward from DC legend Jeanette Kahn who did such a great job running DC. A some nice extras as well.

This is one for the library.

ULTIMATE AVENGERS: Crime and Punishment

Marvel Comics

Mark Millar seems more at home on books that are out of the mainstream of the regular continuity. This works because it gives him more freedom to go where he wants to go.

In this second volume of Ultimate Avenger Nick Fury brings the Punisher on board to help out his black ops team. Their target? The Ghost Rider.

After a nice set up we get to see the team in action and we discover not all is as it appears. Who the bad guys actually are is lees and less clear. The climax is great and I love how the book ends.

Great story telling and WONDERFUL art by Lenil Francis Yu.

VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT - KILLED, NOT DEAD

Marvel Comics

Let me get this out of the way. I think Gregg Hurwitz is one of the best writers we have today. I've read all his novels and the guy is a true talent. I would read a book of bowling statistics if Gregg wrote it. When he started writing comics a few years ago I was intrigued. I enjoyed his FOOLKILLER, and really liked what he did with PUNISHER When he was given a more mainstream hero I was curious to see what he would do. I wasn't disappointed.

This is his second collection of the title and Moon Knight is up against the latest Marvel character who is EVERYWHERE, Deadpool. It's a fun meeting between the Merc With The Mouth and Moon Knight, a hero with is own psychological baggage.The second story told here has a team up with Spider-Man, but it is really getting to what Hurwitz does best, characterization and motive, and this time he's looking at Sandman. Very nicely done. The book ends with Marc Spencer hooking up with the Secret Avengers and we see his trepidation at being on a team and his realization that it can work. Again, a nice look into the character.

So, I'm loving Gregg Hurwitz on this book. Naturally that means Marvel is making a change, and the comics hitting the stands soon with Moon Knight in the title will have Brian Michael Bendis on them as writer. I like Bendis, but I love Hurwitz. I'll check it out, but the urgency to read it will be gone for me.

Mouse Guard - The Black Axe

Archia's runaway hit series Mouse Guard is once again taking us on along for a ride as a quest begins in the search for a fabled weapon known as The Black Axe.

The first issue is set up as we discover who the last two member of this family line are. Celanawe is one of the mouse guard and as he is setting up a post on the edge of the sea he is visited by Em, an elderly mouse who is wise and has instigated the quest.

After fending off an attack by a band of four Fishers they get a chance to talk and Em produces a paper charging Celanawe with assisting Em in her quest.

Once again David Petersen has done a wonderful job with this world he has created. It is filled with it's own lore and magic and each book adds layers to the mythology of the series. in addition to top notch writing the rt by Petersen is amazing. it is a luscious feeling book and is worth a second run through just to take in the wonderful look of it all.

If you haven't started the series yet I would suggest picking up a couple of the collections:

Mouse Guard The Legends of the Guard Volume 1

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152

Mouse Guard Volume Two: Winter 1152

DC COMICS DROPs prices on $3.99 titles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DC COMICS DROPs prices on $3.99 titles

 

MOVES TO $2.99 price point for ongoing COMIC BOOK series

 

New York, October 7, 2010– Beginning January 2011, DC Comics will implement a line-wide pricing adjustment, lowering the prices of all standard length 32-page ongoing comic book titles currently priced at $3.99 to $2.99,  it was announced today by DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.

 

“Today’s announcement re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”

 

“As Co-Publishers, we listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come. With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.”

 

When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.

 

As of January, the following titles standard length ongoing titles, previously priced at $3.99 for 32 pages/22 story pages, will be priced at $2.99 with 32 pages/20 story pages:

 

American Vampire;

Batman: The Dark Knight;

Batman Incorporated;

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors;

JSA All-Stars.

 

As of January, the following licensed titles, previously priced at $3.99, will be priced at $2.99:

 

Gears of War;

God of War

Kane & Lynch;

Ratchet & Clank.

 

As of January, the following ongoing titles previously priced at $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages including co-features, will no longer include co-features and will be priced at $2.99 for 32 pages/ 20 story pages:

 

Action Comics;

Adventure Comics;

Batman: Streets of Gotham;

Detective Comics;

Doc Savage;

Justice League of America;

Legion of Super-Heroes;

The Spirit.

 

In January, five books are $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages:

 

Batman: Europa # 1

First Wave # 6

DCU: Legacies # 9

Weird Worlds # 1

World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen

 

The following oversized anniversary issue will be $4.99 for 48 pages/38 story pages:

 

Hellblazer # 275

 

“Fans of our co-features should stay tuned. Some of these characters will find a new platform,” said Dan DiDio. “Going forward, mini-series and special events may feature a different price point and page count to best allow writers and artists the flexibility of format and story pages they need to tell their stories best.”

Brian Azzarello at Crimespree Booth - Chicago Comic Con

Brian Azzarello is one of those writers. I think you know what I mean. One of those guys who you read one or two things by them and you know that from that point on you'll love anything with their name on it. It doesn't happen nearly often enough, but there are people out there writing that you need to own everything they do because you know you will love it. Brian Azzarello is one of those guys. Just like I know that if music is made by Joe Jackson I will love it, if it says Azzarello I will read it and reread it and tell everyone else to read it.

Over the years he's amassed a solid body of work. The new FIRST WAVE is loads of fun and shows a love of pulp. FILTHY RICH was a great walk down noir streets by someone who knows what noir is. ( Otto Penzler: Noir is about losers, not Private Eyes) . He took ownership of Crime Fiction with 100 BULLETS (along with a few Eisners), His homage to westerns, both EL DIABLO and LOVELESS were ground breaking.He even had a roll with some forgotten characters in DR.THIRTEEN. JOHNNY DOUBLE is PI fiction the way Chandler meant it to be.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

Brian is also one of those guys who seems to absorb everything going on around him. If he appears to be less talkative it's because he's watching, taking it all in. And more than likely filing it away for a future tale that needs just that right something.

And while we know and love Azz because of the comics that's not the only thing to talk to him about. He's a HUGE fan of the CUBS, he like really good beer and is a music encyclopedia.

Our favorite thing about Brian? He's one of those guys. One of those rare guys that has no bullshit. He tells it like he sees it. No sugar coating but 100% honest. We'd vote him into office, but he'd never want it. 

So if you, like us, are a fan of Azzarello come by and say hello, get some books signed and ask him what he's read lately.  If you haven't read him yet you really need to.

BRIAN AZZARELLO will be signing at the Crimespree booth (#135) 

Friday at 6:00 pm

Saturday at 2:00 pm