downthetubes Mobile Comics

Dark Horse expands digital offering with new titles on Google Play

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:37:00 +0000

Dark Horse continues to further its digital initiative with the announcement of titles now available on Google Play.

Hot on the heels of a successful partnership with Amazon Kindle, and following up on the incredible success of Kobo and Nook, the Portland-based company has announced a partnership with Google Play.

Dark Horse digital graphic novels are now available for purchase in the Google Play store, including over four hundred of the company’s top titles, like Mass Effect, Hellboy, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Sin City, and more.

“We are very excited to be working with Google to bring Dark Horse graphic novels to the Play store,” said Dark Horse’s director of digital publishing, Mark Bernardi. “It is an important addition to the growing list of platforms where our digital books can be enjoyed.”

Readers can download their favourite Dark Horse graphic novels on Google Play and more titles will be added every month.

Stan Lee's Kids Universe set to launch this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 06:00:00 +0000

1821 Comics (www.1821comics.com), comic legend Stan Lee and his company POW! Entertainment will team up tomorrow for Stan Lee's Kids Universe Day in Los Angeles.

The event celebrates the first properties from 1821 Comics, Stan Lee and POW!’s new family-friendly publishing imprint Stan Lee's Kids Universe which include Digital E-Books, books and games for multiple platforms.

The children participating in Stan Lee's Kids Universe Day will get an exclusive sneak preview of the new line of family friendly properties and will engage in a variety of fun activities.

The event will take place at Giggles N’ Hugs (www.gigglesnhugs.com) in Century City, and will include invited children and their parents, who will have the chance to enjoy a book reading session for the kids with Stan Lee, where he will be giving out signed copies of books from the new imprint; lunch and games with characters from the Stan Lee’s Kids Universe; playtime with rescued animals; and arts and craft sessions for the kids.

Stan Lee's Kids Universe is a children's multimedia company specializing in graphic novels, picture books, digital books, and games.

Stan Lee's Kids Universe is the brainchild of Paris Kasidokostas Latsis and Terry Dougas, founders of the graphic novel and comic book company 1821 Comics, Comic legend Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment and his producing partner, President and CEO of POW! Entertainment Gill Champion. Stan Lee's Kids Universe Day marks the official unveiling of the properties, which will be available for purchase immediately following the event.

1821 Comics co-founder Paris Kasidokostas Latsis commented, “It’s an exciting time for 1821 Comics, after the successful launch of our first book with Stan Lee Romeo & Juliet The War, which was an instant New York Times Best-Seller, we get to officially unveil our new label. The brand at its core is a fun, creative and family friendly imprint that we are hoping will change the game. We are looking forward to the day."

“The day has come to officially unveil Stan Lee's Kids Universe and we are excited to share the properties with kids and their parents during this special celebration,” added 1821 Comics co-founder and CEO Terry Dougas. “It’s truly an honour to continue working with POW! Entertainment and the legend himself Stan Lee - we can’t wait to share these new projects with the world in the coming weeks.”

“Stan Lee's Kids Universe was created to provide children with big imaginations an entirely new universe to explore, with the aim of telling stories that they haven’t read before yet provide educational value as well,” said Stan Lee. “It’s a thrill to be able to bring this new franchise and its colorful characters to life. I am excited to meet a new generation of brigadiers.”

1821 Comics is a comic book/graphic novel company based out of Los Angeles, California founded by entrepreneurs Paris Kasidokostas Latsis and Terry Dougas. The company is devoted to bringing exciting eye popping new titles to the world of comics. Along with its own titles 1821 is teaming up with some of the top publishers on new cutting edge books. 1821 Comics will remain a diverse publisher with projects for men, women, and children spawning all age groups. The company is highly devoted to story, content, and artwork that will move readers from beginning to end.

POW! Entertainment, Inc., a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee’s historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live-action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

• Get the latest news from Stan Lee's Kids Universe via Facebook at facebook.com/StanLeesKidsUniverse or follow SLKU on Twitter at twitter.com/stanleeskidsu

• For further information about 1821 Comics visit www.1821comics.com

• For further information about POW! visit www.powentertainment.com

Malaria: Now this is what I call a motion comic!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:50:00 +0000

I find a lot of 'motion comics' pretty dreadful, an unhappy blend of animation and comics without being either, but Malaria, which tells the story of Fabiano, a young Mercenary who is hired to kill Death is a different take - and superb. This short film combines origami, kirigami, time lapse, nankin illustration, comic books and western cinema.

Creator Edson Oda says his first intention was to submit this project to the Django Unchained Emerging Artist contest. However due to time and crew limitations he submitted the short film "The Writer" to that competition.

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Edson lives in Los Angeles, and is currently doing a MFA in Film and TV Production at USC. A writer, film director and copywriter, he worked at DDB Brazil with projects at DDB Madrid and Wieden+Kennedy London.

The film has earned Edson a 'staff pick' on comics site Bleeding Cool (though sadly that site has chosen not to mention its creator in its story)

The Art Newspaper extends to digital release

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 08:09:00 +0000

The Art Newspaper, which covers arts news across the globe and may be of interest to some of our readers, has launched an iPad and iPhone application that allows readers all over the world to download and enjoy every issue in full.

Although the newspaper, which covers arts news, exhibitions, arts events and offers a variety of interviews and other arts-related content already has a web presence, the advanced application, created by Stonewash, allows current readers free access to editions they already own as well as giving new readers the option to take out recurring subscriptions in-app and buy single copies using their iTunes accounts.

Readers inside the magazine can browse every page in high definition, enjoy extra large resolution photo galleries and videos, search the pages and contents, and interact with on page elements.

Anna Somers-Cocks, Group Editorial Director and founder of The Art Newspaper said, “The Art Newspaper is expanding worldwide, with the Russian edition out this year, and the Chinese due to published early in 2013. The English-language edition needs to be easily readable everywhere. ”

• The Art Newspaper can be downloaded by visiting http://bit.ly/stonewash-art or searching “The Art Newspaper” in the App Store on your device.

• Arts Newspaper web site: www.theartnewspaper.com

Dark Horse releases Kindle digital comics

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Dark Horse has announced today that the company has expanded to one of the most popular digital platforms on which comics fans can now access their favourite Dark Horse titles. Hot on the heels of the release of the company’s Android app, and following up its incredible success with Kobo and Nook, Dark Horse titles are now available on Amazon’s Kindle, and able to be purchased in the Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore).

Dark Horse digital graphic novels are now available for purchase in the Kindle Store, with over 100 of the company’s top titles featured, like Mass Effect, Hellboy, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Sin City, and more. Additionally, Dark Horse will son be offering dozens of its prose titles including Vampire Hunter D, Hellboy, Yahtzee Coshaw’s new book Jam, and many others.

“I'm very excited about Dark Horse graphic novels coming to the Kindle” said Mark Bernardi, Dark Horse’s Director of Digital Publishing. “Not only does it give fans another way to enjoy their favorite Dark Horse titles, it is going to introduce our amazing catalog to a whole new audience.”

ROK's "Beatles Story" audio comic launched

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:19:00 +0000

ROK Mobile Comics has released the first issue of its new audio comic The Beatles Story for iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices.

The eight-issue digital series collects, for the first time in its entirety, the classic and highly-acclaimed Beatles strip created by the late Angus Allan and Arthur Ranson for the British weekly comic, Look-In.

With new covers by Martin Baines, the digitally-enhanced audio comic also includes rare Beatles videos and other material to complement the comic, including audio commentary memories from writer and radio broadcaster Angie McCartney.

Working closely with artist Arthur Ranson - with some pages scanned from original artwork - and the estate of writer Angus Allan, the eight-issue digital audio comic is available for for iPad, iPhone, Android and other mobile devices, the strip complemented by fully authored audio enhancements that further bring this unique comic biography of The Beatles to life.

The launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four's beginnings back in 1962, when The Beatles - John, Paul, George and Ringo - took the charts by storm in 1962 with their first official release, "Love Me Do", quickly followed by "Please Please Me" and "From Me to You". Beatlemania soon swept across the globe as the Fab Four recorded a staggering 12 studio albums, 13 EPs and 22 singles from 1962 to 1970.

It is estimated they have sold over one billion records worldwide and The Beatles continue to influence many musicians and artists today, attracting a new generation of fans.

Beautifully realized, The Beatles Story charts the history of the band from their struggle for success in the early 1960s through their entire career until the band's split in 1970.

DJ Mike Read has called the strip "the only worthwhile strip record of the Beatles" and the creator-owned comic, first published in British comic Look-In has only ever been reprinted in an abridged form, both in the UK and in Europe.


The opening page of The Beatles Story © Angus Allan & Arthur Ranson

"Before The Beatles - Their Story in Pictures strip, Angus Allan, comic-book and Paperback Writer, and I had been teamed up by Look-in Editor Colin Shelbourn to do The Elvis Story," recalls Arthur Ranson of the origins of his acclaimed Beatles comic strip. "Like Dreamers Do I suggested to Angus that we might retain the copyright - prompted by belief in its future possibilities and thinking possible returns When I'm Sixty-Four.

"Rather than just the Money there was also pride in ownership and an interest in creators rights. Creator ownership was at that time even less usual then it is now and Nobody I Know at the time had done that. Can’t now imagine the hubris that made me pushy so don’t Ask Me Why.

"When Angus heard the idea he was nervous about it," Arthur continues. "Apart from the gamble that a reduction in fee would later be recouped I think it ran against his idea of how professional comics guys worked and he might be seen as a Bad Boy. I convinced Angus We Can Work It Out and the Two of Us took the proposal to Colin. I said I would not draw the strip on any other terms. (How was it I was so cocky?) With much less argument than I expected Colin agreed. Thank you, Colin.

"When Colin wanted The Beatles strip it was more or less understood that the same terms would apply. At Look-in’s expense Angus and I became Day Trippers, took A Ticket to Ride and went to Liverpool for research, visiting Penny Lane and all.

"ITV Publications reproduced the strip as a paper book only four months after its first appearance in Look-In, hardly Any Time at All. The impression I was left with was that whoever organised the reprint was so miffed when he discovered that Angus and I had the copyright that he made no attempt to sell it on so it wasn’t exactly Here, There, and Everywhere. Angus and I took on an agent to act on our behalf and he landed some foreign versions.

"Some of the artwork was displayed at the Walker Art Gallery in their 1984 'Art of the Beatles' exhibition."

"Do You Want to Know a Secret? Drawing a weekly story with the hope of seeing it reappearing in a complete continuous format did need some thinking about," Arthur reveals. "The space where the title would go required filling, but not with anything that was essential. For new readers the breaks are then not apparent and the story will move without interruption, Act Naturally..."

The Beatles Story is the latest audio comic project from ROK, who launched their first audio adventure comic Team M.O.B.I.L.E. earlier this year, with several new titles, including Houdini, new adventures of the world's greatest escape artist soon to follow, along with spy adventure Tomorrow We Live, written and drawn by Mike Collins.

The company is also working on a number of music comics featuring up and coming bands, and a collection of Angus Allan and Arthur Ranson's other creator-owned strip for Look-In, The Elvis Story.

• The Beatles Story by Angus Allan and Arthur Ranson, with new covers by Martin Baines

• From iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/app/the-beatles-story/id569176209?mt=8

• Android Edition: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rok.comics.beatles001

Dark Horse releases Android comics app

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:16:00 +0000

The highly rated, user-friendly Dark Horse Comics app is getting an official launch in Android. Comics fans of all ages can get Dark Horse comics on any Android-based tablet, phone, or laptop.

The final version of the fan-favourite Android app was finalized just in time to coincide with BioWare’s inaugural N7 Day.

The first annual N7 Day invites fans to celebrate the Mass Effect franchise worldwide, and what better way to do so than with the many critically acclaimed Mass Effect comics from Dark Horse.

Dark Horse Digital is offering a Blasto digital-comic exclusive for Mass Effect fans. Written by lead game writer Mac Walters, with art by Omar Francia, Blasto: Eternity Is Forever is sure to be a cult favorite among fans of the incredibly popular game series.

The free Dark Horse Digital comics app is now available worldwide through all modern web browsers and features cloud storage in both the Android and iOS apps.

To get started reading Dark Horse digital editions, simply log on to Digital.DarkHorse.com or download the app to create an account, and begin building your collection today.

Madefire app now available for iPhone and iPod

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Digital comics publishing house Madefire - co-created by British comic creator Liam Sharp - has announced a major update to its revolutionary comics app, bringing it to iPhone and iPod touch for the first time.

The Madefire app, which delivers a fully-immersive, episodic comics reading experience, is now optimized for the four-inch Retina display on iPhone 5 and supports Facebook single sign-on in iOS 6. The app is also available for iPhones 3GS, 4, 4S, and for third and fourth generation iPod touch.

Madefire's distinctive format features episodic, 'short-burst' (10-15 minute) reading, and utilizes sound, music and motion - as well as special effects, like parallax and panorama, to transport readers deep into story worlds.

Madefire says it is also growing its catalogue of free titles and weekly releases of new episodes, giving readers even more opportunities to explore 'short-burst' reading.

We've downloaded a couple of stories here at DownTheTubes and it's looking slicker than earlier versions, although we're still not convinced by the size of lettering on the iPhone screen or some of the storytelling decisions when it comes to presenting speech balloons, for example - but there's no doubting the art is gorgeous and we're intrigued by the upcoming beta testing of its Motion Book Tool, which has apparently been heavily oversubscribed in terms of creator interest.

As part of Madefire's commitment to democratizing digital publishing within the visual storytelling space, the company is making this browser-based Tool -- on which all Madefire titles are built -- available to creators through a phased release.

The app includes a new 'Feed' feature, which gives readers an inside look into Madefire titles and creators, with special features such as 'The Making of' and sneak peeks of upcoming releases.

"We received a tremendous response for Madefire on iPad and wanted to bring this amazing content to millions of iPhone or iPod touch users around the world," said Madefire co-founder Ben Wolstenholme. "Plus, with iPhone 5, users will now be able to experience their favorite episodes and stories on the beautiful, four-inch Retina display."

The Madefire app currently features seven titles:

"Captain Stone is Missing... " Chapter 1
"The Engine" Episode 1
"Houses of the Holy" Episode 1
"The Irons" Episode 1
"MONO" Episode 1
"Treatment: Toko" Episode 1
"Treatment: Mexico City" Episode 1

"Feedback about Madefire has been extraordinary," said Dave Gibbons, Watchmen co-creator and author of the original Madefire series 'Treatment.' "As a content creator, I am excited to bring my new stories and characters to iPhone and iPod touch users around the world via the Madefire app."

Madefire says it is currently the only publisher offering episodic, digital stories in an immersive Motion Books format. Content creators include world-renowned comic and graphic novel artists, as well as up-and-coming artists.

Founded in 2011 by Ben Wolstenholme, Liam Sharp and Eugene Walden, Madefire is backed by True Ventures, with angel investors including Sina Tamaddon, former Senior Vice President of Applications for Apple Inc -- who sits on Madefire's Board of Advisors.

The Board of Advisors also includes industry leaders like: Toni Schneider, CEO of Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com); Mike McCue, CEO and Founder of Flipboard; Dave Gibbons, co-creator of Watchmen, the bestselling graphic novel of all time; and Bill Sienkiewicz , widely recognized as one of the greatest innovators of sequential art.

• For more information go to madefire.com, or download the Madefire App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch from www.madefire.com/iOS

2000AD available through the App Store

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 03:05:00 +0000

This won't be announced until later in the week but 2000AD has popped up on Apple's Newsstand app which is designed for newspapers and magazines. While you can buy digital progs, Megs and graphic novels through Clickwheel or the 2000AD shop, you do have to seek them out and this development makes the Galaxy's Greatest Comic available on one of the most popular apps for handling this type of content, putting it right under the noses of potential purchasers.

This seems a smarter move than developing their own app or even getting on comiXology as it gives them a large audience, as it is built into the Apple operating system (it was part of iOS5, released in October 2011).

Newspapers and magazines that switch to Newsstand have seen large increases in their subscriptions and it has been described as a "an absolutely crucial development for this industry," as it boosts discoverability and appears not to cannibalise print numbers.They also have a number of deals and offers:

Buy individual issues or select one of our great value subscription options and have the latest issue delivered direct to your iPad every week. Plus, every subscriber gets a range of back issues FREE!

New to 2000AD? To whet your appetite, you can download a FREE 69-page sampler issue. Read the first episodes of top 2000AD stories including Judge Dredd: Day of Chaos, Zombo, and Ichabod Azrael!

2000AD Subscriptions available:

Each single issue can be purchased for $2.99 each (non-subscription)
1-month subscription for $10.99, automatically renewed until cancelled
3-month subscription for $29.99, automatically renewed until cancelled
1-year subscription for $109.99, automatically renewed until cancelled

It'll be interesting to see how popular this is.

Digitally Infinity! Panel Nine releases iPad-based comics magazine

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Digital graphic novel publisher Panel Nine has launched a free preview issue of INFINITY -- a new magazine devoted to digital graphic novels and comics.

The magazine contains a roundup of digital comics news, features and reviews delivered via Apple’s Newsstand service for the iPad, including a terrific interview with comic creator PJ Holden, talking at length about Murderdrome, the digital comic he created with Al Ewing that was banned by Apple.

There's also a sampler of Panel Nine's excellent digital title Dapper John by Eddie Campbell and an extract of interview with artist David Lloyd, talking about his film noir inspired graphic novel Kickback. (The full interview is part of the Panel Nine Kickback app)

In a "Where Are They Now" style item, the magazine also profiles artist Simon Russell, the head of Brighton-based agency Boing today - but who worked with Russell on INFINITY's previous incarnation as a small press comics fanzine in the 1980s

Today, INFINITY publisher Russell Willis has swapped his photocopier for an iPad and relaunched it for the digital age.

“Digital delivery is a huge part of the future of comics," says Russell, "and we’re launching INFINITY to cover things as they develop, debate the big issues such as user experience, platforms and pricing, interview the key players, and provide a guide for people to the good stuff.

"Appropriately the magazine is specially designed for the iPad, and contains audio, video and Panel Nine’s “Panel Mode” presentation of digital comics.”

The first issue proper of INFINITY will available in September as a NewsStand ready title. The magazine will initially be published bi-monthly from then on.

Users can download the preview issue (and all subsequent issues) for free from iTunes

• Download from iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/infinity-digital-graphic-novels/id540599442?mt=8

Diamond launch digital comics service, linked to comic shops

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Diamond Comic Distributors and iVerse Media have partnered to create Diamond Digital, a unique initiative that lets your local comic book shop retailer sell digital comics and graphic novels for Apple and Android devices directly to you.

Diamond and iVerse describe it as an easy way to purchase digital comics for your reading pleasure on the go and, at the same time, support your local comic book shop that brings you printed comics week in and week out.

Already on offer via the service are titles from US companies such as IDW and Boom!

Here's how it works:

1. Each week check out weekly release lists at PREVIEWSworld.com or diamonddigital.com to see what's available digitally in stores.

2. If you are in your comic book shop, tell your retailer that you'd like to purchase a digital comic book and he'll give you a download code.

3. If you are online, many retailers have digital comics available directly from their websites, so you can pay and download your digital copy at your own convenience.

4. Make sure you download the unique Digital Comics Reader app -- developed and powered by Digital comics powerhouse, iVerse Media. It's available for use on the web, Apple iPhone or for Android phones.

5. Plus, any purchases you make stays with you "in the iVerse Cloud" where you can download and use it on any device you'd like.

You can purchase a code fo a day-and-date digital editions of new comics every Wednesday when the print versions are available, usually at the same SRP as their print equivalents. You also can purchase a digital “Plus” edition code, which will typically be priced at $.99 when you purchase a print version of the same comic book.

Codes can be redeemed at your retailers’ website, or at www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

Diamond say there are thousands of backlist comic book codes available from Diamond Digital as well, including bestsellers such as Walking Dead, Ghostbusters and more - with complete runs for you to read digitally.

It's an interesting idea, long in the planning, but at this point, we're not sure how ready UK stores might be to do this - the actual app does include Diamond's comic store locator, but unlike the Diamond Digital web site, there's no option at present to search for non US comic shps.

You can download this in the UK, but the app doesn't offer its own storefront, the whole aim of this is to encourage instore purchase.

Looks like it's work in progress to us, especially for non US comic fans, especially given the lack of any UK publishers on the site home page so far...

MotionArtist offers new tools for comic creators

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:57:00 +0000

Smith Micro Software, Inc. Productivity and Graphics Group has announced the beta release of MotionArtist, a new version that enables users to add motion to their comics, create interactive HTML5 presentations as well as uniquely styled photo-shows.

International Comic-Con 2012 attendees in San Diego will be the first to see MotionArtist’s new approach to layout, animation and adding interactivity at Smith Micro’s booth #5353.

“MotionArtist is an awesome animation and interactivity product that was clearly conceived with comic creators in mind," says Steve Yatson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Smith Micro Software, Inc., in a press release about the new tools. "It's a composition and presentation application unlike anything that exists in the world of digital comic creation.

"It’s a simple solution to a very complicated set of problems that introduces a new approach to animation. We provide the platform – from there, professional artists or everyday users can really let their creativity run wild.”

The MotionArtist version combines cutting-edge tools with a truly simple user experience, creating a highly versatile solution that appeals to a wide range of users, from hardcore comic creators to anyone who loves to share their favourite photos, including:

Graphic artists – Create amazing interactive animated comics and presentations with state-of-the-art technology, such as GPU acceleration for a lightning fast work environment and 3D layering for that cool parallax effect
Traditional comic creators – Artists of any skill-level can quickly convert their work into digital comics with panel creation, layout tools and the ability to add motion
Web developers – Export projects to HTML5 and deploy on your favorite website or save as standard movie formats and share your comics and presentations directly to Facebook or YouTube
Photographers – Create fun, animated “photo shows” by dropping in a folder of images; MotionArtist will automatically place the images on the stage and animate the camera

“MotionArtist is an awesome animation and interactivity product that was clearly conceived with comic creators in mind,” said Brian Haberlin, co-artist and co-writer of the multi-media sci-fi adventure saga Anomaly. “With MotionArtist you can create panel-based comics, add animation and export in common file formats without being locked into a specific format or being required to use a particular service. You can even export as a common video format or, more importantly, HTML5.”

Key MotionArtist version Features:

HTML5 export – Save out as HTML5 with interactive navigation or export as standard video files and share on YouTube and Facebook.
Comic style panel creation – Create panels of just about any shape. Go back and resize, duplicate, rotate, align and cut at any time.
Word balloons & dynamic text – Vector based balloons, thought bubbles, dialogue boxes and text can easily be added and edited at any time
Arrange in 3D – add layered 3D depth to your panels and presentations for that cool parallax effect
Motion – A new approach to animation for non-animators. We’ve hidden the technical stuff and brought the animation process forward in an intuitive visual manner
Photo shows – Simple creation of photo presentations through automated object placement and camera movement
Working modes and views – Creation and animation workflow is laid out with comic creators in mind

It sounds a potentially interesting tool and you can download MotionArtist for free during its beta availability into 2013 direct from the Smith Micro online store at: motionartist.smithmicro.com.

Stan Lee just keeps on creating!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:23:00 +0000

Vuguru and POW! Entertainment have unveiled the programming lineup for the new premium YouTube channel, Stan Lee's World of Heroes and the comic book icon will feature a slate of original digital programming on Thursday, 12th July at San Diego Comic-Con with a panel including Mark Hamill, Adrianne Curry, Peter David, Jace Hall, Bonnie Burton and America Young.

Stan Lee's World of Heroes YouTube channel will feature both scripted and unscripted shows and aims to offer content for fans of all ages includesing

Stan Lee's Super.Model (a scripted action comedy) - From Stan Lee, two aspiring models Bree and Sera and blogger friend Lizzie, are accidentally exposed to a mysterious serum that grants them super powers. Their newfound powers wreak havoc on their quest to become top models and pull them into a world of danger and intrigue. From Executive Producer Heath Corson (Aim High) and writer Taryn O'Neill (BlackBoxTV)
Head Cases (a scripted comedy) - You know those classic superhero battles where good and evil clash in epic fashion? This isn't one of those. Set at the local bar frequented by super powered heroes and villains, the comedy Head Cases is what happens before, after, and in between those battles. From Peter David (Babylon 5, Ben 10, The Incredible Hulk) and Producer David M. Uslan.
Chatroom of Solitude (scripted comedy) - When you’re a superhero who do you turn to at the end of the day? Written by Jeff Lewis (The Guild, Jeff Lewis 5 Minute Comedy Hour) and directed by Sean Becker (The Guild, Holliston), Chatroom of Solitude is a comedic glimpse into the mundane moments of super lives. Told through a G+ video hangout, we eavesdrop on heroes and villains when they’re off the clock and bitching about a tough day at work to their friends, colleagues and enemies.
Bad Days (an animated parody) - From Junaid Chundrigar (creator of the animated viral series Disassembled, Bad Days) shows us heroes and villains on their worst days. Whether Green Lantern is wasting time with an emerald Yo-Yo or Batman has locked himself out of the Bat-Mobile, Bad Days lets viewers laugh at epic super failure.
FanWars (courtroom reality) - Who is the most intelligent Super Villain of all time? FanWars gives opinionated fans (is there another kind?) a chance to discuss the most pressing issues in the World of Heroes. Producer and host Jace Hall (The Jace Hall Show, V, The Morning After) and a panel of celebrity experts pit fan against fan as they debate topics from comic books, superheroes, and science fiction.
Stan Lee's Academy of Heroes (a makeover reality show) - From producer Jon Kroll (Amazing Race, Blade), the series takes real life aspiring heroes from across the country and gives them the mentoring and training they need to take their fight for good to the next level.
Stan Lee’s World of Heroes Presents: Mask & Cape News (Mask & cape) (news magazine) Mask & Cape is the premiere destination for all the pop-culture news in the Superhero space! Three days a week, hosts America Young and Kevin McShane provide entertainment news coverage and insight on everything from comic book releases to movies, media events, and other happenings around the superhero community. The fun atmosphere and quirky personalities that this news magazine offers makes it an exciting and friendly source for the super news that matters most.
Stan's Rants (opinion, sample above!) - this weekly series features the spirit of the classic Stan's Soap Box comic column from his days at Marvel Comics, which explores the inner workings of the unique mind of Stan Lee. From behind his desk, Stan, tongue firmly in cheek, explains his thoughts on pop culture, upcoming films, the general state of the world and more, in this weekly series.

Michael Eisner's Tornante Company started Vuguru in 2006 for the purpose of making creatively-driven scripted projects that could take advantage of the new distribution landscape made possible by emerging platforms such as the internet. Vuguru's inaugural project, Prom Queen, was greenlit and financed purely based on the creative idea; it went on to garner almost 30 million views in the US, and rolled out to over 30 countries around the world.

In 2009, Rogers Media (Canada's largest media company and dominant wireless carrier) placed a significant equity investment into Vuguru, enabling the Company to build a dedicated team and entire slate of original made-for-digital projects. Vuguru and Rogers also structured an output deal for Canada for multi-platform deployment.

Vuguru structured a first-of-its-kind international sales & distribution commitment for ten projects with UK-based Content Media Corporation. In the US, Vuguru has a six-project licensing and distribution deal with AOL.

POW! Entertainment, Inc., a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee’s historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

Squids didgital comic in the works

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Ape Entertainment, developers of the massively popular Pocket God Comics and Cut the Rope: Comic, and independent video game developer The Game Bakers have announced a new licensing agreement to create a series of original digital comic books and graphic novels based on The Game Bakers’ chart-topping game series, Squids.

Available for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac, the Squids games have been downloaded by more than one million players worldwide.

Squids and its recent sequel, Squids Wild West, are unique role-playing games with quirky characters, colorful cartoon graphics, and humorous storylines. A mysterious black ooze is encroaching on the Squids’ lush underwater kingdom, prompting a scrappy group of Squid heroes to fight back the only way they know how: by stretching their tentacles to spring into battle.

Both Squids games have been praised by fans for their vibrant artwork and lighthearted yet surprisingly epic plotlines – elements that will transition perfectly into Ape’s new comic series, which will explore the backstories of scout Steev, healer Vahine, and the rest of the Squids crew.

“In terms of graphics and storytelling, the Squids games already have a lot in common with comics, so continuing and expanding the adventure in comic books is a natural step,” says Audrey Leprince, The Game Bakers’ COO and cofounder. “Ape Entertainment has a proven track record within the comics industry and we’re excited to partner with them to bring our hungry fans more of the SQUIDS stories they love.”

“What attracted us to the Squids property was its gorgeous cartoon art, comical storyline and intriguing characters,” said David Hedgecock, CEO of Ape Entertainment. “This combination is the perfect setup to expand upon its rich storyline and dive deeper into the backstory for an underwater adventure fans will love to read and explore.”

Ape Entertainment plans to release the full-coluor comic book series in print as well as through a standalone SQUIDS Comics app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in the coming months.

• For more information visit www.ape-entertainment.com or http://thegamebakers.com/.

'Romantically Apocalyptic' comic's crowdfunding appeal success astonishes creators

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 06:18:00 +0000

A lot of creative types are waking up to the potential of crowdfunding a new project, seeking financial pledges of support for new book, comics, web projects and more via sites such as Indeigogo and Kickstarter.

As with any such initiative, their success is of course dependent on the appeal of the project, the support its creators may already have through their existing fanbase and the amount of attention their crowdfunding appeal gets across the web.

While there are plenty of projects that simply get the funding sought (and even more that don't), sometimes a proposal attracts much more support than expected - prompting the creators involved to seek even higher goals.

A case in point is this positive crowd sourcing story from Canada. A small team in Toronto wanting to increase production of their hugely popular web comic - Romantically Apocalyptic - have quickly raised nearly $30,000 via Indiegogo, more than double their original goal, offering backers an entertaining mix of rewards for their support.

To their surprize, they’ve successfully mobilized their avid fanbase to help send their work to an even wider audience and are now looking to use the money to develop their comic into a live action TV series.

Romantically Apocalyptic, a stunning looking weekly web comic, is produced by Vitaly S Alexius and a huge team of regular and guest artists listed here on the comic's web site.

Just over a year ago the team launched the first physical volume of Romantically Apocalyptic, a self-published title printed in Toronto and shipped out on an ad-hoc basis. Back then, they had a few thousand followers on Facebook and 800,000 page views per month to their website. Now those numbers have gone up to 60,000 Facebook fans (www.facebook.com/ZeeCaptain) and four million page views, yet the physical books are still sent the same way: a few at a time, "and with a frustrating wait if you happen not to live on the American continent!", the team admit.

In an effort to sell more copies of their print collections, the team initiated an appeal on Indiegogo to raise $10,000 to do a large scale print run of not only the original volume, but also volume two, which they have started selling at select comicons. Both are around 100 pages and contain significantly more content than that shown on the website alone.

The team also had a live action series at the pre-production stage, which they want to kick into a higher gear, and, due to popular demand, they want to release an Romantically Apocalyptic-inspired companion music album.

Now, with a huge response to their appeal which easily covers the first arm of their project - a new print collection - they're pushing onward to secure the funding needed to produce their tv show and album.

Judging by the response so far it looks like they'll suceed.

"We never, in our wildest dreams, anticipated we'd get such a positive and speedy response from you, our community," a member of the team commented. "We're so overwhelmed with the support and trust you've shown us that we have to admit we were wrong to set our ambitions so low."

The second stage of fund sourcing is now underway. Good luck to them.

- Check out the appeal on Indiegogo

STRIP Magazine price drop for digital edition

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:35:00 +0000

The digital edition of STRIP Issue 5
will include alternate content to
the print edition

STRIP Magazine fans waiting for the arrival of the print edition of Print Media's adventure anthology – victim to ongoing import issues – may be interested to know that Issue 5 for iPad is being worked on now by ROK Comics and should be submited to Apple sometime next week.

The price of all back issues of STRIP Magazine for iPad has also just been dropped to £1.99 per issue.

Print Media says they decided to delay submission of STRIP Issue 5 to Apple in view of the distribution issues for the print edition, but with changes to the company's plans for the title's relaunch that have superceded some copy in the print edition, the digital STRIP Issue 5 (which will also be priced at £1.99) will include updated pages from the 'real world' magazine, as well as some trailer imagery for the new-look to the title.

The iPad edition will have less pages than the print verison of Issue 5 but some exclusive trailer images from the revamp, and we have also updated 'Comic Cuts' to reflect the change of launch plans.

Print Media have announced they will be publishing a digital only version of STRIP in July. This special Issue 6 will wrap some storylines that complete in the print 'bumper' version of Issue 5, as well as again trailing the new look STRIP.

Promotion for Black Ops Extreme
by Richmond Clement and Stephen
Downey. Black Ops Extreme
© Print Media Productions

The special issue will also use some pages to promote new British comics and projects. If British and Irish comic creators would like to have a plug for their own indpendently created titles in the digital-only issue, direct Print Media via infoATprintmediaproductions.com to a 1536 x 1920 image they'll consider for inclusion. On your left is an example of the kind of image they're looking for.

They will also consider running strip samples but they must be action adventure, SF, fantasy or one page humour - no horror or adult comics, no swearing and no excessive violence.

The digital issues of STRIP - for iPad only at present - are now available for just £1.99 each.

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 1 here: ht.ly/brSDc

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 2 here: ht.ly/brSHf

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 3 here: ht.ly/brSPV

• STRIP Magazine for iPad Issue 4 here: ht.ly/brSUj

David Lloyd to launch weekly creator-owned digital comic

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:45:00 +0000

An all new sequential art magazine will soon be available exclusively through on-line subscription and was devised by David Lloyd, co-creator of V For Vendetta. It will be published as an 18-page weekly and form into seven issue volumes. There will then be a break in publication before the next seven issue volume begins its weekly release.

Contributors lined up for the project so far include David Lloyd, Kyle Baker, John McCrea, Phil Hester, Mark Wheatley, JC Vaughn, Billy Tucci, Bill Sienkiewicz, Steve Bissette, Marc Hempel, Yishan Li, Algesiras, Alain Mauricet, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Lew Stringer, David Leach, Phil Elliott, Carl Critchlow, Esteban Hernandez, Rory Walker, Dylan Teague, Dave Hine, Shaky Kane, Colleen Doran, Dan Christensen, Kev Hopgood, Ferg Handley, David Hitchcock, Paul Maybury, Henry Flint, Hunt Emerson, Roger Langridge, Cosmo White, Paul Peart Smith, Mychailo Kazybrid, Ben Dickson and Gavin Mitchell.

All creators keep the copyright on their individual characters, as one would expect from a company set up by a comic creator.

The on-line magazine has been funded by publisher David Lloyd, who has commissioned a web site - the site name as yet unrevealed - from which the weekly publication can be logged onto and read.

The comic allows creators to reap the benefits of the blossoming digital market without giving up their on-going in print work, but still manages to give subscribers a very good deal.

The comic relies on established names to attract comic readers who are aware of the reputation of the creators. This makes the shift to digital less daunting for creators and readers alike.

The weekly publication does not rely on the potentially huge audience beyond the direct sales market to succeed, but is designed to be viable even on a small percentage of the direct sales market. This can be achieved due to the structure of the company which David Lloyd has created, which is specifically designed to make money for the creators.

A seven issue subscription will cost £6.99/$10. More news as we get it!

Dark Horse Digital offers digital anniversary discount

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:53:00 +0000

Dark Horse Digital reaches a new landmark, turning one year old this Friday, and to thank their loyal fans, Dark Horse has announced an anniversary appreciation discount.

This weekend, Dark Horse Digital is offering 10 per cent off all titles in the web store, with an additional coupon to newsletter subscribers and new subscribers who have signed up by this Thursday. And yes, the coupon stacks with an even greater discount off your order!

The sale starts this Friday (27th April 2012) and ends Sunday at midnight PST – so head over to Dark Horse Digital and sign up for the Digital Newsletter to maximize your discount on some incredible comics.

Dark Horse Comics launched its standalone comic-reader app and digital store on 27th April 2011 and says it has received incredible support from the continuously growing digital-comics fan base.

Since then, Dark Horse Digital has grown significantly in numbers and readership featuring it's most popular, best selling titles including Star Wars, Buffy, Serenity, Hellboy, Conan and Mass Effect as well as exclusive digital only comics such as Falling Skies, Prototype 2 and Dragon Age.

Dark Horse Digital also provides sales and discounts for its reader base on a weekly basis, offering thousands of comics and they are continuing to increase the digital availability of the Dark Horse back catalogue.

Dark Horse Digital is available through all modern web browsers and features cloud storage in both the Android (beta) and iOS apps.

• Dark Horse Digital: https://digital.darkhorse.com

Zombies go Digital!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:50:00 +0000

Asylum Press will release its comic Zombie Terrors as an ongoing digital series.

Zombie Terrors is an anthology of the undead, gathering together artists and writers from all over the world to have their hand at everyone’s favorite brain eaters.

Issues 1-5 will feature content form the Zombie Terrors TPB released in 2010, and issues 6 and on will feature all new content.

Zombie Terrors will also be available on Comixology. Comics+ (Iverse), Graphicly, Diamond Digital as well as stand alone apps and epubs on KindleFire, Nook, Kobo, ibookstore, and Googlebooks.

“We’re very excited about the possibility of reaching so many people all over the world, “ explains publisher Frank Forte, “tablets and smart phone ownership is exploding and we want to provide great comics content. The one obstacle we face is coordinating releases an all platforms and devices. We’ll be updating which comics are available on which platforms on our website.”

Zombie Terrors #1 is a morbid flesh rotting collection of zombie tales. Featuring an international cast of artistic talent. Frank Forte delivers "Beheaded", a tale of a crazed hillbilly who takes trophies off of his zombie victims.

"The Feast" tells the tale of a gourmet chef taken hostage by a greedy mob boss, By Royal McGraw and Aduato Silva. In "Hate", by Doug Williams, a recently turned undead still has some semblance of his humanity--and he hates it.

Pin-ups by David Hartman. Many flesh-eating tales to shock and horrify!

• Asylum Press: www.asylumpress.com

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/asylumpress

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/asylumpress

Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair Digital Comic Series Debuts on the App Store

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:33:00 +0000

zuuka Comics, developer of the Cut The Rope digital comic engine, are proud to announce the launch of Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair Comic App for for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, now available on the App Store.

The first-ever digital release of Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair Comic series debuts with the original issues No. 1 through No. 6.

Based on the original classic arcade game released in 1983, the Dragon's Lair Comic series is celebrating its launch by offering fans the first issue for free.

"Don Bluth's vision and creative genius with Dragon's Lair set a new standard for animation and since then has entertained millions through video games and graphic novels," said Woody Sears, founder of zuuka. "We are very honored to be bring fans the first-ever digital comic series of such a popular title as Dragon's Lair and know they'll enjoy it just as much as we do."

"We are proud to be associated with zuuka Comics and their line up of digital comic books," responded Don Bluth.

Gary Goldman, Bluth's fim partner added, "We hope the fans of comic book stories will enjoy having this series on their Apple mobile devices, the presentation of the Dragon's Lair Comic series looks great!"

Dragon's Lair Comic issue No. 1, released free, begins the adventure with the deadly dragon Singe swearing revenge on Dirk the Daring for killing his offspring as he swoops up Princess Daphne in his razor-sharp claws. Now, armed with his courage and skills, the brave knight must survive the dangers of the Dark Kingdom to save his Princess. It's swordplay, sorcery, dragons, and damsels...plus a pinch of humor. Lead on, adventurer...your quest awaits!

The comic is written by Andy Mangels, with art from Fabio Laguna (pencils/inks), Tony Washington (colour) and comes with a cover by Don Bluth.

zuuka Comics is part of zuuka who publishes iTalk and iStoryTime - an interactive storytelling experience delivered to the convenience of your mobile device - which features a series of illustrated and narrated books created by parents for kids. With over 100 titles to choose from including favourites such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon, iStoryTime books are an excellent tool for both educating and entertaining children ages two years and up. These storybooks can be enjoyed in several different modes ranging from automatic to manual, depending upon the development and preferences of the user. For additional information, visit www.iStoryTime.com .

Established in 2000, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman continue their independence with their production company, Don Bluth Films, Inc., developing feature-length properties, short projects and video games. While at Walt Disney Productions, Bluth and Goldman worked on classic animated features including Robin Hood, The Rescuers, Pete's Dragon and The Fox and the Hound. As independent filmmakers Bluth & Goldman have produced a number of hits including The Secret of NIMH, Dragon's Lair, An American Tail, All Dogs Go To Heaven and Titan A. E. They currently have nine new film projects in the works, three scripted and five in various states of creative development.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yHLKoX4TvQ

• Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair Comic App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Issue No. 1 is free, and issues No. 2-6 are available for $1.99 each through In-App Purchase.

• Buy the Comic on iTunes

ROK Comics releases Team MOBILE - its first audio comic

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:03:00 +0000

ROK Comics, Britain's dedicated mobile comics publisher, has published its first originated audio comic title for the iPad – TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E.

Featuring a fully authored audio soundtrack and its own theme tune, TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the exciting story of teenage secret agents battling dangerous enemies across the globe.

An ongoing adventure story, the first issue of TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. centres on the story of misfit duo Maisy Brown and Sam Thompson, who are recruited into a secret organisation to battle crime, terrorism and other dangers.

TEAM M.O.B.I.L.E. is the creation of ROK Group PLC co-founder Jonathan Kendrick.

Jonathan has long harboured an ambition to marry comics with sound and published on mobile devices including the iPad and iPhone. Inspired by a love of James Bond and comics, he came up with the back story for the comic, including its top secret 'MindMerge' technology and gadgets.

"We are really pleased with the originality and quality of our first audio comic which has just been published on the iTunes store and we look forward to developing the story further," said Jonathan.

The strip is written by John Freeman from storylines by Jonathan Kendrick, with art by Andrew Chiu. Kris Carter is colouring the title, with Jim Campbell providing lettering and logos.

John's credits include work for Marvel, Judge Dredd Megazine and Black Ops Extreme for STRIP – The Comic Magazine, but he's perhaps better known as an editor, for ROK Comics and titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, STRIP and many others.
Andrew's credits include 2000 AD, the mainstay of the British comics industry, DC Comics, Vertigo Comics and ILEX Press.

Kris Carter's credits include Transformers and Doctor Who while Jim Campbell has worked for pretty much every major British comic publisher and some American companies, too.
The soundtrack, which complements the strip action, features the voices of both British and American actors, produced by Sneaky Snake Films in New York. The Team M.O.B.I.L.E. theme tune was created by accomplished composer Bob Townley, who's worked with a number of established chart artists in the US and UK.

ROK Comics is also publishing strips for mobile under license, including an Andy Capp iPhone app in partnership with the Mirror newspaper and a Viz iPhone app in partnership with Dennis Publishing, and Print Media's STRIP - The Comic Magazine.

Three iPhone apps published in partnership with individual creators – Ligeia the Vampire by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci, The Mobile Gospel by Rich Diesslin and Madd Science by Steve English – are also available.

Further comics are in development.

ROK Comics, part of ROK Global PLC, continues to provide mobile comics content for WAP subscription services across the globe and is currently working with partners in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

• Team M.O.B.I.L.E.online: www.theteammobile.com

• Visit ROK Comics at: www.rokcomics.com

STRIP Magazine #4 on sale now

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Issue 4 of STRIP Magazine is on sale now as a digital edition for iPad, in partnership with ROK Comics.

The Eagle Award-nominated comic magazine is fronted by a fab Warpaint cover by John McCrea, the digital edition features all the content of the print edition, plus a couple of 'bonus items'.

Strips in the latest action-packed issue include Warpaint by Phil Hester and John McCrea, the start of a brand-new Age of Heroes story by James Hudnall, John Ridgway and The Devil's Heritage by Jerome Felix and Paul Gastine.

In Black Ops Extreme (by John Freeman and PJ Holden the combat team head for the Middle East to sabotage an illegal nuclear bomb factory. Meanwhile, Hook Jaw continues to eat his way through greedy oil men and we have some fun for you in Slayer Keith (this issue's Strip Challenge winner) Cosmic Patrol and Bogey-Man Bob!

There's also an all-new interview with Transformers artist and Frontier graphic album creator Andrew Wildman; plus a 'Shark Facts' bonus page only in the digital issue, and a Devil's Heritage 'poster'.

• STRIP Magazine is among several British comics nominated for a prestigious Eagle Award this year, with final voting taking place now at www.eagleawards.co.uk

• The digital edition of STRIP Magazine Issue 4 is available for iPad here

ROK Delivers ‘Viz’ iPhone App For Dennis Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:52:00 +0000

ROK Global, the company behind ROK Comics, has just announced its latest mobile application -- a highly innovative iPhone application featuring characters and content from the hugely popular adult comic Viz, has been launched on the iPhone App Store.

Developed for Dennis Publishing, the Viz Strip Teaser iPhone application will provide customers with all the latest Viz characters and content.

One issue is included in the app's free download, with subsequent issues priced at £1.49.

The App's design means you can read a page of VIZ panel by panel but utilises the overall page as it appears in its original print format, the reader "sliding" from one panel to the next.

“Viz is a national institution so we’re delighted to have been chosen to develop the magazine’s iPhone app which we’re confident will prove very popular indeed.” Said Jonathan Kendrick, Chairman of ROK Global.

The Viz Strip Teaser is one of several comics-related digital applications and products developed by ROK. Its projects include the Team M.O.B.I.L.E. comic, created by Jonathan Kendrick, which will also be released on iPad and iPhone.

In addition to its comics projects, ROK has pioneered many new technologies and services in the rapidly-evolving mobile and web space including high quality mass-market Mobile TV (which can be streamed, live and on-demand, over 2.5G as well as 3G and Wi-Fi) which it licenses to Mobile Operators, revenue-generating applications available direct to consumers via the leading application stores, mobile security technologies which it licenses to law enforcement agencies and multi-language text-to-speech technologies which it licenses to website owners.

• ROK Global: www.rokglobal.com

• ROK Comics: www.rokcomics.com

Garfield goes digital

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Random House Publishing Group will be making Jim Davis' beloved Garfield cartoons available in a digital format for the first time.

Random House has been publishing Ballantine trade paperback editions of the Garfield cartoons for 30+ years. The first of the collections to be published as an eBook will be Davis' first and second books, Garfield at Large and Garfield Gains Weight, as well as the newest collection, Garfield Brings Home the Bacon.

The company will continue to publish four Garfield eBook titles every month for the next 18 months, until the entire collection is available in the eBook format.

“Garfield says, ‘Why go for it when you can make it come to you?’ Very fitting in this case – wisecracks delivered right to your reading device via the Garfield comic strip books. It’s the ultimate in convenience. Garfield would definitely approve,” said Jim Davis.

Random House has been publishing Ballantine trade paperback editions of Garfield comics for over thirty years. There are more than 50 million copies in print.

Richie Rich goes digital

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Ape Entertainment and Classic Media have unveiled the digital comic debut of Richie Rich for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Developed by Ape Entertainment's digital partner iVerse Media, the Richie Rich app will feature digitally restored and colour corrected original master copies of the comic as well as new adventures under the title of Rich Rescue.

The Richie Rich digital comic app is free to download and features a free preview of the first issue. The app includes four full-color issues of the all-new Rich Rescue series ($1.99/each) and the Richie Rich Classicsseries ($.99/each), each with a colour cover, one five-page story in colour and the rest in classic black and white.

These new adventures are available digitally within the app as well as in print at comic book shops nationwide.

The first four new Richie Rich adventures are: Rich Rescue, Issue #1: The Boon Under The Bay!, Richie Rich: Rich Rescue, Issue #2: The Pursuit of Pesos!, Richie Rich: Rich Rescue, Issue #3: Just Desserts Deserts, andRichie Rich: Rich Rescue, Issue #4: Yen for a Yeti!

Richie Rich made his comic book debut in 1953 and has since starred in his own comic book series, syndicated comic strip, and animated TV series. There have been 50+ Richie Rich comic titles and 2,000 issues under his name.