the comic news

CBLDFNews Liberty Comics #2 Previews! Order Yours Today!

2009-09-22T13:48:00.001-07:00

This October, Image Comics publishes the second volume of the blockbuster CBLDF benefit anthology Liberty Comics!

Liberty Comics #2 (AUG090303), a 48-page full color comic book for $4.99, will be in stores October, 14 2009, but you can preview it today by following the links below! This Thursday is the final order cutoff, so ask your retailer to set aside your copy today!

Liberty Comics #2 features an incentive cover & story by JIM LEE in collaboration with NEIL GAIMAN. The regular edition is available with two covers, Kick-Ass by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and a noir anti-censorship image by TIM SALE. Also appearing in the book are: a Painkiller Jane story by JIMMY PALMIOTTI and JIM RUGG; a new Mr. Gum adventure from MIKE ALLRED, DAVE JOHNSON and JAMIE S. RICH; The Apocalypstix by RAY FAWKES and CAMERON STEWART, a return to Channel Zero by BRIAN WOOD; a preview of Choker by BEN MCCOOL and BEN TEMPLESMITH; and a special Martha Washington piece by DAVE GIBBONS, alongside exclusive material by PAUL POPE; KATHRYN & STUART IMMONEN; CHYNNA CLUGSTON; PAUL GRIST; and JASON AARON & MORITAT.

Liberty Comics Previews:

CBR profiles Liberty Comics contributors and previews Jim Lee cover, and stories by Mike Allred and Ben Templesmith: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23003

CBR showcases Jim Lee's creative process in his collaboration with Neil Gaiman:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22977

Newsarama previews stories by Jason Aaron & Moritat and Jimmy Palmiotti & Jim Rugg:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090917-Liberty-Comics.html

The Beat previews Channel Zero by Brian Wood:
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/09/15/exclusive-liberty-comics-2-preview-brian-wood/

The Beat previews Paul Pope & Chynna Clugston-Flores stories:
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/09/17/exclusive-liberty-comics-previews/

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CBLDFNews CBLDF At WonderCon!

2009-03-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

This weekend WonderCon opens in San Francisco, and the CBLDF will be there with parties, programs, and an art studio in the booth! Here's the inside scoop:

Friday: CBLDF's Drink & Draw Welcome Party!

Ring in WonderCon this Friday at the world famous 111 Minna Art Gallery with the CBLDF's Second Annual Drink & Draw Welcome Party! Witness live art, mingle with your favorite pros and raise a toast to Free Speech!

The Rev. Dave Johnson, co-founder of the Drink & Draw Social Club will be presiding over a host of incredible artists including Spain Rodriguez, Paul Mavrides, Erik Larsen, David Mack, Jill Thompson, Charlie Wylie, Brian Azzarello, Larry Marder, Richard Starkings, Moritat, Ivan Brandon & more!

This party will also feature a special raffle to benefit the recovery of Underground Comix legend S. Clay Wilson.

The party is this Friday, February 27, 7:00 PM to 10 PM at 111 Minna Street Gallery. $5 suggested donation for CBLDF members; $10 suggested donation for non-members. The party is sponsored by Image Comics (www.imagecomics.com) and Last Gasp of San Francisco (www.lastgasp.com).

Saturday: CBLDF Live Art Jam!

Witness live art created before your eyes at the CBLDF Live Art Jam! Jim Lee (Batman), Dave Johnson (100 Bullets), Jill Thompson (Magic Trixie), Wendy Pini (Elfquest), and Matt Wagner (Grendel) will create original art projected on the big screen! The Live Art Jam gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of these masters' artistic processes and is not to be missed by fans and students alike. All art will be auctioned at the end of the event to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. 3:30 to 5:00 PM, Room 220/224 at WonderCon.

CBLDF Studio - Booth #725

Stop by the CBLDF booth throughout the convention to witness your favorite artists sketching to benefit the CBLDF! Dave Johnson headlines a cast of artists who will be popping by throughout the show to make original art to benefit the Fund. All art will be put on display when finished, and available for your donations. Also be sure to browse our selection of premiums, which includes red-hot items like signed copies of Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book; Terry Moore's Echo; 100 Bullets; Walking Dead, and much much more! Plus exclusive Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab and Neverwear items!

Don't miss out on the fun - support the Fund at WonderCon!

CBLDFNews Celebrate Will Eisner Week This March!

2009-02-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Will Eisner Week

The first week of March will mark the inaugural Will Eisner Week, a celebration of Will Eisner's legacy in graphic novel literacy and free expression. A collaborative project of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, The Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation, and a variety of comics institutions, Will Eisner Week is chaired by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design's Assistant Professor Barbara Schulz. Will Eisner Week will be celebrated this year from March 1 to March 7, commemorating the 92nd anniversary of Eisner's birth.

Will Eisner Week is intended as an ongoing celebration that will promote graphic novel literacy, free speech awareness, and the legacy of Eisner himself to a broad audience. This first annual celebration is themed "The Spirit of A Legend," examining Will Eisner's seminal Spirit comic, as well as the spirit inherent in his work that has inspired generations of comic readers and artists. This theme will be explored at events in Minneapolis at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, in Savannah at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and in New York City.

In addition to events, a variety of academic papers and group activity assignments are available on WillEisnerWeek.com. These include:

Diana Schutz: Comic Artist Will Eisner

Diana Green: Other Trench(ant) Coats: Dr. Drew and the Wraith as Spirit Pastiches

Frenchy Lunning: The Hero High Above the City

Ivan Brunetti: Worst. Page. Ever.

Paul Karasik: Will Eisner, Grandaddy to the SuperHero Generation.

Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation President Carl Gropper says, "The Foundation is very excited to be working with three such prestigious organizations to celebrate the accomplishments and the position of the Graphic Novel in current culture. Will Eisner spent his seven decades-long career showing what could be accomplished with Sequential Art and Will Eisner Week will continue that work. In 1978 no mainstream publisher would publish Will Eisner's first graphic novel and in 2008 the graphic novel was the one of the few areas of growth in all media including publishing, television, and the movies adding billions to the worldwide economy."

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein says, "Will Eisner was a staunch advocate of comics and free expression throughout his life. His work for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was tireless, and we are proud to honor his legacy through this initiative. Over time, we hope that Will Eisner Week will be used to focus ever more attention on graphic novel literacy and the wide range of free expression that comics encourage."

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Google Browser Comic

2009-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

Chrome Google Browser Comic Book example

GGRRR - issue 6

2009-02-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

GGRRR Issue 6

Pony Express for February 2009

2009-02-25T16:27:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Dark Horse Newsletter!

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Eric Powell's The Goon. So . . . congratulations, Mr. Powell!

Now, what's to say about The Goon that hasn't already been said? It's a story that really has it all: The undead. A talking spider. Ladies of the burlesque persuasion. Monsters. Thugs. A whiskey barrel full of humor. Fingernail-biting suspense (maybe just finger-biting). A big lug of an antihero. And, occasionally, a guy in diapers who soils himself. The series has also been honored with multiple awards throughout its run, including the International Horror Guild Award for Best Illustrated Narrative (2003), and Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for Best Single Issue (Goon#1, 2004), Best Humor Publication (2005), Best Continuing Series (2005), Best Writer/Artist--Humor (2008), and Best Painter or Multimedia Artist (2008). And recently, Powell's The Goon has been optioned by acclaimed director and producer David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fight Club, Zodiac) and Academy Award-nominated Blur Studio to develop as a CG-animated feature film with Dark Horse Entertainment.

Did you make it out to the Big Apple for New York Comic Con? If not, don't sweat it. We've got the latest news and pictures from the Dark Horse booth.

And have you heard about our plans for Domo?

At Toy Fair 2009, Dark Horse unveiled plans to produce a set of blind-box figures scheduled to release this July. The 2.5" figures will be created in conjunction with Toy2R as part of their Qee program, and will feature the likeness of Domo in a way you've never seen before! Get the full story here!

I'll be talkin' to you next month!

P.S. Oh yeah, don't forget to enter the Goon 10th Anniversary Contest for your chance to win some cool prizes! Viva El Bruto!

--Matthew Parkinson, Pony Express Editor
(e-mail your comments to sireditrix@darkhorse.com)


We've got the lowdown on all your favorite titles!
Dark Horse will be exhibiting at WonderCon in San Francisco, California. February 27 - March 1. Make sure to swing by our booth (#624) and check out our great creator/artist signings, giveaways, panels, and more! In the meantime, here's our signing schedule. Travel to a previously uncharted era in Star Wars history as The Old Republic unveils a galaxy on the brink of destruction nearly 4,000 years before Luke Skywalker! Chronicling critical events prior to LucasArts and BioWare's eagerly anticipated massive multiplayer online game, Dark Horse is creating all-new eComics for the series, which will go live starting February 27! You can read them exclusively at www.swtor.com. And speaking of Star Wars, watch our video interview with DH Senior Editor Randy Stradley, where he talks about the new upcoming SW series, Invasion! The latest issue of MySpace Dark Horse Presents has been posted! Stories for this month include Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rapture, and more! It's all new, all free, and all available to read now! Plus, don't forget to check out the Dark Horse MySpace page as well. Try your hand at our new coloring game, featuring art from Tara McPherson's Somewhere Under the Rainbow Kit. Follow Dark Horse on Twitter for the latest and greatest news as it's released! Be sure to check out our Hellboy: The Epilogues eComic and The Art of Hellboy Flip Book!

It's A New York February
By David Scroggy

We have just returned from the fourth installment of the ever-more-successful New York Comic-Con, and other than freezing our toes off and confirming that the city still makes the best pizza in the world, we are able to make an interesting observation of Dark Horse's (and by extension our entire industry's) place in the uncertain economic times we are all facing in 2009.

It is no secret that we are all feeling the pinch financially. However, we have a strong belief that our market is better able to withstand the vagaries of bad times better than most. Why? Because the material that Dark Horse brings forward, both as publisher and merchandiser, resonates strongly with the people who read and collect it. We are confident that because we only work with creators and properties that mean a lot to us, the projects created will mean a lot to you.

Sometimes we get it right, and sometimes we might miss the mark, but the effort always comes from the heart.

Unlike a lot of industries, we enjoy the ability to meet with our customers face to face at events like New York Comic-Con. This is really valuable for us. Not only does it give us a chance to say thank you, but also to share a sneak peek at forthcoming projects. We were very gratified to see that Umbrella Academy is gaining in popularity, that Buffy remains strong, that Hellboy is now firmly established in the pantheon of comics' greatest heroes . . . and that Eric Powell still hasn't paid his outstanding parking tickets or bar tab, which means that unlike most of the attendees who don a costume to come to the convention, Eric must disguise himself when he leaves the safety of his fans and ventures forth into the city. It is so the cops don't get him.

Read the rest of the editorial here!

FREEBIE

The Goon #32: Anniversary Issue features thirty-two pages of story from creator Eric Powell, and a sketchbook section with contributions from Eric's comic-creator heroes -- Mike Mignola! Jeff Smith! Kevin Nowlan! And more! Simply enter for your chance to win in the The Goon #32 Giveaway Contest.

HURRY! LIMITED QUANTITIES!

Comics Feedbag
Number Five and The Rumor have accepted a terrible mission, and after enduring torture and a brush with nuclear Armageddon, the rest of the surviving Umbrella Academy have to put aside their infighting to try to find their brother and sister, racing through history to do so. Make sure to pick up The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #4.

Book Barn
Step onto the crazy ride known as MPD-Psycho, as even more strange deviants are introduced and writer Eiji Otsuka continues to astound with his inventive plot twists and atrocities. Named one of Publishers Weekly's best reads of 2007! Check out MPD-Psycho Volume 8.

Product Parade Dark Horse Deluxe has depicted the whole Dilbert gang in 3-D! Capturing Scott Adams's style was a challenge, but we have not only nailed the look, but even have placed the characters in special packaging designed to resemble an office-cubicle environment. For your approval: the Dilbert PVC Set.

Buy Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Today at TFAW.com!

GGRRR - issue 5

2009-02-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

GGRRR Issue 5

GGRRR - issue 4

2009-02-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

GGRRR Issue 4

GGRRR - issue 3

2009-02-19T15:57:00.001-08:00

GGRRR Issue 3

CBLDFNews NYCC: Show Exclusives & Comics News Insider Raffle! Last Chance for Workshops!

2009-02-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

NYCC Exclusives!

Stop by the CBLDF's table at New York Comic Con for three exclusive prints to benefit the cause!

Dustin Nguyen's "The Adventures of Kozmo and Rerun the Cosmic Dog" Print. 8.5x11in on water color paper. This signed print is limited to 50 pieces, and everyone who purchases it will get a free headsketch on the print at his table in Artist's Alley. All proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Peter Kuper's "Free Speech" Print. 8.5x11in on water color paper. This signed print is limited to 100 pieces, and all proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Terry Moore's "Echo" print, from the cover of Issue #6. 11x14 on matte bond paper. This signed print is limited to 100 pieces, and all proceeds benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Peter Kuper's "Free Speech" print is also available to all donors who contribute $25 or more to the Fund before February 8 at http://www.cbldf.com/Donations_s/2.htm

You can view these exclusives here: http://www.cbldf.org/pr/archives/000386.shtml

Comic News Insider's CBLDF Raffle at NYCC

It's that time again! Comic News Insider will be running it's annual raffle at New York Comic Con, February 6 -8th 2009!

Every year CNI works with an organization to help raise funds for their cause. Past groups have included the Get Caught Reading program that helps promote reading programs for students and Comics In The Classroom, a program started by a school teacher to develop lesson plans for teachers in conjunction with various comic books. This year CNI is proud to help The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 and is dedicated to the
preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Find out more by visiting them at their website. http://www.cbldf.org

Tickets are $1 or 6 for $5. Come buy your tickets each day and they will be good for each raffle.

Visit the Comics News Insider table for more, plus signings.

Friday, 2/6

2:30: Raffle
3-4pm: Carrie Tucker
4-6pm: Molly Crabapple
5-6pm: Tony Lee
6pm: Raffle

Saturday, 2/7

12-1pm: Tony Lee
1-3pm: Molly Crabapple
2:30pm: Raffle
3-4pm: Jonathan Hickman
4:30-5:30: Carrie Tucker
6pm: Raffle

Sunday, 2/8

11-12pm: Monica Gallagher
12:30-1:30pm: Greg Pak
1:45pm: Raffle
2-4pm: Molly Crabapple 4pm: Raffle

NYCC Masters Workshops!

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study under comics masters at New York Comic Con!

The Fund & NYCC have teamed up to create a series of workshops focused on helping young and aspiring creators make the next step in their comics careers! Participating creators include Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Terry Moore, Brian Wood, Peter Steigerwald, & Vince Hernandez!

Space in these extraordinary workshops is extremely limited, but still available. Proceeds from the workshops benefit the CBLDF! To reserve your space, visit: here

CBLDFNews NYCC: Welcome Party & Masters Workshops!

2009-02-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

New York Comic Con Welcome Party!

Kick Off NYCC with the CBLDF!

Join the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in kicking off the 2009 convention season at our New York Comic-Con Welcome Party on Thursday, February 5! Enjoy drinks, free sliders for early arrivals, and door prizes! This party is sponsored by Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Admission will be $5 and up for CBLDF members, $10 and up for non-members.

Attending artists will include: Colleen Doran, David Mack, Rantz Hoseley, Dean Haspiel, Mike Cavallero, Nikki Cook, Mahmud Asrar, Brahm Revel and many more!

What: The CBLDF's NYCC Welcome Party
Date: Thursday February 5, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Side Bar
Street: 120 E. 15th Street (Near Union Square)
City: New York, NY
Donation : $5 & up for current CBLDF Members; $10 & up for non-members

NYCC Masters Workshops!

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study under comics masters at New York Comic Con!

The Fund & NYCC have teamed up to create a series of workshops focused on helping young and aspiring creators make the next step in their comics careers! Participating creators include Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Terry Moore, Brian Wood, Peter Steigerwald, & Vince Hernandez!

Space in these extraordinary workshops is extremely limited, but still available. Proceeds from the workshops benefit the CBLDF! To reserve your space, visit:http://www.nycomiccon.com/app/homepage.cfm?appname=100453&moduleID=2523&LinkID=31617&submenuheader=15

CBLDFNews Learn Secrets to Comics Success at NYCC Workshops!

2009-01-30T13:21:00.001-08:00

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study under comics masters at New York Comic-Con!

The Fund & NYCC have teamed up to create a series of workshops focused on helping young and aspiring creators make the next step in their comics careers! Participating creators include Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Terry Moore, Brian Wood, Peter Steigerwald, & Vince Hernandez!

Space in these extraordinary workshops is extremely limited. Proceeds from the workshops benefit the CBLDF! To reserve your space, visit:http://www.nycomiccon.com/app/homepage.cfm?appname=100453&moduleID=2523&LinkID=31617&submenuheader=15

Workshops include:

Whilce Portacio: Superhero Figure - The Artist Process
Friday, 1:30 to 2:30
X-Men, Wetworks, Stone, Batman, Superman, and current Spawn artist Whilce Portacio will divulge to aspiring artists his many years of artistic knowledge on how to draw the superhero figure. He will give up various secrets and shortcuts to drawing a superhero figure that any pro learns throughout years of drawing superhero comics. Find out what takes professionals years and years of working to learn, and learn many of those secrets in one session. He will go through all the points in drawing a figure that any striving artist must hit in order to get into the field. Learn how to improve your figure drawing and more importantly what things you must constantly look out for in order to draw a strong dynamic superhero. This is a session for all aspiring artist who are still struggling with the many intricacies of the human anatomy. This event is strictly limited to 30 participants. $100.

Building Your Portfolio For Success
Friday, 3:30 to 5:30
Aspen Comics Editor-In-Chief Vince Hernandez will be giving a step-by-step example of what makes a successful submission portfolio for aspiring comic book artists. With over a decade of experience in the comic book industry, working both at Top Cow Productions and currently at Aspen Comics, Hernandez will discuss the many successes and pitfalls he's encountered throughout his time in comics. As well, Hernandez will offer a rare one-on-one opportunity for creators and artists to learn how to properly create a top-notch, professional portfolio. Strictly limited to 30 participants. $100.

Jim Lee Portfolio Clinic
Friday, 5:30 to 7:30
Sign up now for this once in a lifetime opportunity to go one-on-one with comics legend Jim Lee! The renowned artist of Batman, and founder of WildStorm more goes one-on-one with seminar participants at this benefit event for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Lee will review your portfolio samples and give valuable pointers for improving your work and presenting it to prospective buyers. This event is strictly limited to 20 participants. $200.

Terry Moore: Good Acting - Expressive Body Language & Expression For Comic Book Artists
Saturday, 2:00 to 4:00
Join the acclaimed creator of Strangers in Paradise & Echo for a seminar in improving your characters acting in this limited attendance seminar to benefit the CBLDF! Persuasive characterization is the key to making readers believe in your characters. Terry Moore divulges his secrets to help you build credible characters, with unique body language and expression. Strictly limited to 30 participants. $100.

The Process of Color
Saturday, 4:00 to 6:00
Colorists are the unsung heroes of the comic book page. What are the dynamics of this high demand comics industry job, and how can you be a part of it? Join Aspen Comics superstar colorist Peter Steigerwald as he examines the color process between the lines and beyond. Steigerwald is a veteran of the comic book industry first breaking in at Top Cow Productions in the 90s. Along the path of his successful coloring career, Steigerwald has colored the popular Aspen titles Soulfire and Fathom as well as coloring covers for such events as Marvel's Civil War and DC Comics' Identity Crisis and much more. Steigerwald will discuss all the steps necessary for aspiring colorists to follow in order to turn their goals into reality. Strictly limited to 30 participants. $75.

Brian Wood: The Art of The Proposal
Sunday, 12:00 to 2:00
Writer Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, Local) offers a hands-on discussion and workshop on the finer points of preparing a comic book proposal, from thinking conceptually to structure and form to useful information on sending your pitch out into the world. Participants are encouraged to bring pre-existing proposals to the class, or be prepared to create one in the workshop. Writing materials or a laptop required. Brian Wood has twelve years experience creating comics, as well as several years in the video-game industry. Working almost exclusively on creator-owned projects, his insights into building a comic book project from scratch would be useful to any writer or artist looking to hone their craft. Strictly limited to 30 participants. $100.

Pony Express for January 2009

2009-01-28T16:12:00.001-08:00

If you have trouble reading this email, please see the online version.

Welcome to the Dark Horse Newsletter!

Happy New Year!

What's happening at Dark Horse central, you ask? In short: A lot. Here's just a taste!

In July of 2007, Dark Horse partnered with premier social networking site MySpace to make publishing history by relaunching the company's flagship anthology title, Dark Horse Presents. The vision for MDHP was to create a free online anthology that featured new talent and provided all-new content the first Wednesday of every month. So, to celebrate the upcoming February release of MDHP Vol. 2, we return with some of the key players who helped launch the series online, including Joss Whedon, Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba, and Steve Niles, plus stories by the likes of Fabio Moon, Tara McPherson, Gilbert Hernandez, and more! If you haven't been reading MySpace Dark Horse Presents, you don't know what you're missing.

Aliens is back! In 1988, Dark Horse Comics revolutionized the industry with the release of Aliens #1--a series based on the James Cameron-directed Fox science-fiction blockbuster. The response was so tremendous that the inaugural issue was reprinted six times to fulfill the voracious demand, and Aliens went on to become a cornerstone of the Dark Horse line. Fast forward to May of 2009--Aliens #1 will hit comic-shop shelves once again! Written by John Arcudi (B.P.R.D.) and penciled by Zach Howard (Shaun of the Dead), the new story tells the tale of a group of planetary prospectors who discover untold treasures . . . and an ancient, primal horror! Aliens #1 is the first act in the relaunch of all three classic Dark Horse/Fox comics series (Aliens, Predator, and Aliens vs. Predator). The release of Aliens #1 will coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the Ridley Scott-helmed film masterpiece, Alien, and will be preceded by an Aliens/Predator special for Free Comic Book Day!

And this just in:

Dark Horse Entertainment, Death Ray Films, and Maya Entertainment team up to bring the acclaimed Dark Horse comic book El Zombo Fantasma to the big screen. The story follows the mysterious murder of the world's most notorious Mexican wrestler, who bargains his way out of an eternity of fiery damnation by returning to Los Angeles to play guardian angel to a troublesome teen, Belisa Montoya. He soon discovers that the teen is not what she seems and that their fates have been intertwined for centuries. Get the full story right here!

See you next month!

--Matthew Parkinson, Pony Express Editor
(e-mail your comments to sireditrix@darkhorse.com)


Psssst . . . Have you heard the latest? Well, read on and you will have.
Dark Horse will be exhibiting at New York Comic Con, February 6-8. Make sure to swing by our booth (#823) and check out our great creator/artist signings, giveaways, panels, and more! Signing schedule to be posted on darkhorse.com shortly! The latest issue of MySpace Dark Horse Presents has been posted! Stories for this month include Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Usagi, and more! It's all new, all free, and all available to read now! Plus, check out the Dark Horse MySpace page while you're at it. Try your hand at our Domo Magnet Game and see what looks you can come up with for our favorite fuzzy guy. Hint: Just click and hold on the item you want to use and drag it on top of Domo. Arvid Nelson interview! We recently got the chance to ask Nelson about his DH projects, the movie deal with Johnny Depp, and how his faith helps shape his stories. Just click here to read it! Be sure to check out our Making of a Comic: Kull #4 feature, where you can see how this comic came to life--from script to pencils and coloring to lettering, it's all right here! Find out all that is happening with your favorite DH titles on our Star Wars, Manga, Hellboy, The Goon, Buffy, and Umbrella Academy Zones!

From the Publisher

Bittersweet year . . .

I think most of us are more than happy to put last year behind and move on into 2009. As always, the new year brings with it a kind of renewal and hope for better things to come. It wouldn't be right to go forward, however, without noting the passing of some of the people with whom we've worked over the years: Good friend Dave Stevens, creator of the Rocketeer and one of the most talented artists ever to pick up a brush, lost his battle with a prolonged illness and will be sorely missed. It was sadly ironic that Dave was instrumental in the revival of interest in Bettie Page, who also passed away late last year. Bettie always seemed surprised, yet pleased, at the continued interest in her career, and we were happy to help fuel that interest. Forrest (Forry) Ackerman's Famous Monsters of Filmland fired the imaginations of many of those working in comics today. For those of us lucky enough to visit it, the Ackermansion will always be a fond memory. Rory Root was one of the first retailers I met as a publisher. He was always full of ideas and certainly possessed a great love of comics. We will miss seeing him as we make the convention rounds each year. And, as it is January, it is worth noting that four years have gone by already since the passing of comics titan Will Eisner. I was lucky enough to be a friend of Will's and took great inspiration from him. Will was a pioneer in so many areas and he left a gaping hole in our industry that is yet to be filled. The passing of each of these special people comes with a tremendous sense of loss, but we can take some solace, and some happy memories, from the work they left behind.

Best,

Mike Richardson, Publisher

FREEBIE

In volume two of MDHP you'll find: The premiere of Zack and Joss Whedon's superhero creation Captain Hammer; an untold tale of the Umbrella Academy from Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba; a unique look at Conan creator Robert E. Howard's famous creations; the agents of Mike Mignola's B.P.R.D.; and much more! Simply enter for your chance to win in the MySpace Dark Horse Presents Vol. 2 Giveaway Contest.

HURRY! LIMITED QUANTITIES!

Working with Yoe! Studio
By David Scroggy

In pursuing my own path for around thirty-five years, I have been able to work in a variety of capacities in the business: columnist, retailer, mail order, distribution, editorial, artist's agent, convention and trade show organizer, and, for the last decade, product development, making all sorts of collectibles and pop-merchandise items. Either I can't hold a job (likely) or have been blessed with opportunities. The funny part is, I would probably have been involved with a lot of this stuff anyway, if only as a fan. Read more here.

Comics Feedbag
Comic-book and graphic-design legend Dean Motter continues to reinvent his industry-changing creation in Mister X: Condemned #2.

Book Barn
Beanworld is a peculiar fantasy that operates under its own rules and laws. Series creator Larry Marder says, "Beanworld is about the affinity of life. It's like A Bug's Life meets Mutts, as told by Dr. Seuss and Joseph Campbell." Make sure to pick up Larry Marder's Beanworld Book 1: Wahoolazuma!

Product Parade ReelArt Studios is proud to present the Buck Rogers Statue! This 1950s version of Buck is sculpted by Tony Cipriano and paint mastered by Joy & Tom Studios. It depicts Buck in action with blazing guns and rising on a cloud of smoke from his jet pack.

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©2009 Dark Horse Comics. All rights reserved.

Buy Applegeeks Vol. 1: Freshman Year Today at TFAW.com!

CBLDFNews Now Is The Time To Support Free Speech ! New Premiums Benefit CBLDF!

2009-01-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

Stand Up For Free Speech - Support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Exclusive Signed Peter Kuper Print Offered As Thank You For Donations!

This February, free speech goes on trial in Iowa. That's when Christopher Handley, a private collector of manga, will stand trial against government allegations that the comics in his collection are obscene. Mr. Handley faces up to twenty years in Federal prison for the alleged possession of these comic books. If convicted, a new precedent could be established that will make it easier to prosecute individuals for possession of art. A conviction could also establish a profound chilling effect in comics and other creative art forms. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is fighting against the establishment of such an adverse precedent by aiding Handley's defense. As Special Consultant to Handley's counsel, the CBLDF is providing the First Amendment and manga expertise crucial to his defense. Please help us fight this very important case, and bolster our resources to defend against future threats by making a contribution today.

To thank you for supporting our important work, we are offering a brand new signed print by Peter Kuper to everyone who contributes $25 or greater between now and Feb 8. An internationally known illustrator, Peter Kuper's work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, and Mad where he illustrates Spy v. Spy every month. These prints will be signed at the New York Comic-Con and sent to our supporters immediately after the show.

Protecting Freedom of Expression is a never ending battle. With your support, we can continue the fight.

Please contribute to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund today - https://www.cbldf.com/donate.asp

Landmark Obscenity Ruling Inspires Free Speech Benefit Fragrance
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Creates "Miller v. California" To Benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, a California based manufacturer of specialty fragrances, has announced the release of 413 U.S. 15/Miller Vs. California, a limited edition perfume to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

Based on the landmark 1974 court ruling, Miller v. California is a playful scent designed to evoke both prurient and cultured senses. The perfume oil contains aromas of leather, cognac, fig, ripe berry, and cream, and is stuffed into a plain brown paper bag.

Miller Vs. California continues BPAL's work for the CBLDF, which began as a series of fragrances based upon the works of bestselling author Neil Gaiman. Since establishing their line of Neil Gaiman fragrances in 2006 BPAL has contributed over $67,000 to the CBLDF.

413 U.S. 15/Miller Vs. California, will be available until March 13 and can be ordered from http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/limited.html

Signed Alex Ross Obama Print & More On eBay This Week!

This week the CBLDF's eBay offerings include Alex Ross' iconic Obama image, as a limited print signed by the artist! Plus: original art by Dave Johnson, Frank Miller's file copy of Daredevil #181, a rare Neil Gaiman & Collen Doran collaboration, and more! To bid, please visit www.cbldf.org/ebay

Calvin & Hobbes comic strip

2009-01-06T05:51:00.000-08:00

The Calvin & Hobbes comic strip was published
from Nov 18th, 1985 to Dec 31st, 1995

Get them all here

Dark Horse eComics

2009-01-05T02:57:00.000-08:00

Dark Horse eComics

Dark Horse have produced 4 eComics on there site have a look and enjoy.

Banya Vol. 1

Rex Mundi: Hill of Martyrs

Shaman Warrior

H.G. Well's The War of the Worlds

Catch the Umbrella Academy team

2009-01-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

in three-dimensions this spring!

Gerard Way has managed to make quite a name for himself in the comics industry over the past year—racking up an Eisner for Best Limited Series, and a Harvey for Best New Series, for his breakthrough miniseries The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite. In tandem with series artist, multiple-Eisner winner Gabriel Bá, Way has created a bizarre world which defies the space-time continuum, and pits a dysfunctional family of super-powered siblings against animated monuments, talking chimpanzees, a secret society of robot assassins, and each other.

Right on the heels of the first issue of Way/Bá’s highly anticipated follow-up series, The Umbrella Academy: Dallas, Dark Horse Deluxe is proud to announce the release of a new figure set depicting the six members of The Umbrella Academy introduced in Apocalypse Suite, as well as a book-and-figure set that includes a hardcover edition of the first collected graphic novel and a 4-inch figure of Vanya, AKA The White Violin, the shunned UA sibling with the sinister set of strings!

The Umbrella Academy Book and Figure Set features a previously unused cover by Gabriel Bá for the special digest-sized hardcover. The included 4-inch figure depicts Vanya as The White Violin, poised to end the world in concert with The Conductor and his evil Orchestra Verdammten! It is scheduled for release in April 2009 at a suggested retail price of $24.99.

The Umbrella Academy Figure Set features the six members of the Academy, sized to scale, with Spaceboy measuring a beastly 5-inches as the largest figure in the set, and The Boy stacking up at a small-but-substantial 2-inches. The Dark Horse Product Development team worked closely with Way and Bá, adding bold shadowing and strange angles to create uncanny likenesses that evoke the characters exactly as they appear in the comic. The final product is as unique and quirky as the story itself, encasing the six siblings in cylindrical 360-degree packaging that displays the team under an umbrella-shaped dome. See these superheroes in all of their splendor when they hit retail stores in May 2009, with a suggested price of $39.99.

“In my six years at Dark Horse, I have never experienced this much cooperation and inspired creativity on a project,” says Rebecca D’Madeiros, Senior Product Development Manager for Dark Horse Comics. “Gerard and Gabriel, the team here at Dark Horse, and the manufacturers have contributed a wealth of ideas for the figures and the unique packaging. It’s been great fun along the way. We are all proud of the outcome: a 6-piece figure set worth displaying on a revolving shelf with spotlights and soundtrack music!”

Pony Express for December 2008

2008-12-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

If you have trouble reading this email, please see the online version.

Welcome to the Dark Horse Newsletter!

It's that time of year where we like to look back at all of our great accomplishments, and all the talented people we have had the good fortune to work with, and go, whew . . . how quickly time flies when you're having fun!

So let's go over some of the highlights:

Did you say Star Wars? A yearlong event with repercussions for every era and every hero (from Zayne Carrick to Cade Skywalker) was told in Star Wars: Vector; an original graphic novel based on the best-selling game, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was a huge hit with comics fans and gamers alike; and, to complement The Clone Wars animated TV program, presenting our latest addition to the SW line, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Following the release of the major motion picture, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo reunited with the follow-up to events set in motion in their Hellboy miniseries Darkness Calls, in the latest adventures of the big red guy in, Hellboy: The Wild Hunt!

Class is back in session! Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba returned for another installment of the critically acclaimed series The Umbrella Academy in UA: Dallas. Plus, there were several new additions to our roster of cool UA products!

Our Robert E. Howard line continued to grow with the newest installment of Conan's ongoing adventures in Conan: the Cimmerian, and saw the addition of two other Howard classics: Solomon Kane and Kull.

Always pushing the boundaries, DH continued it's successful foray into the web comics world, collecting such notables as: Help is on the Way, Achewood, Wondermark, and Nothing Nice to Say.

2008 also saw the release of two of the most most highly demanded manga in the last half-decade: Gantz and Blood+. If you haven't picked up either of these titles you really don't know what you're missing.

How about our horror line, you say? Bernie Wrightson's illustrated version of Frankenstein was released to much applause, as was Uncle Creepy's return in our celebrated Creepy Archives series!

Buffy's adventures continued with many twists and turns, including the Time of Your Life story arc, which teamed Buffy up with the future Slayer, Fray.

Dark Horse Deluxe launched a special program of officially licensed Domo merchandise, as well as Spirit products based on the major motion picture directed by Frank Miller.

The Dark Horse Indie/Image Entertainment film, My Name is Bruce, starring B movie legend Bruce Campbell hit the big screen, destined to become yet another cult classic from the "Master of Chin."

And Universal Pictures and Dark Horse Entertainment signed a three-year production and distribution agreement that established a studio home for all of Dark Horse's creative properties.

See what I mean? Whew! And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Have a Happy New Year.

See you in 2009!

--Matthew Parkinson, Pony Express Editor
(e-mail your comments to sireditrix@darkhorse.com)


*Well, even if you were a little* naughty, we're still gonna be nice . . . enjoy these great holiday treats!!!**
The latest installment of MySpace Dark Horse Presents has been posted, featuring the work of Zach Wedon, Brian Sendelbach, Jamaica Dyer and more. Plus, visit Dark Horse's MySpace page while you're at it! Enter to win in the DH Holiday Blowout Contest, featuring the some of the coolest DH comics, graphic novels, products, and more! Get the latest Groo, Tim Biskup's The Jackson 500, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer desktops right here! Check out our Making of a Comic feature for Rick Remender's Gigantic #2, and download some slick Gigantic desktops while you're at it! Read our exclusive interview with Beanworld creator Larry Marder.

From the Publisher

Happy Holidays! See you next year.

Best,

Mike Richardson, Publisher

FREEBIE

This month we're giving you an extra special prize. Just tell us what Dark Horse graphic novel you'd like to receive, and if we draw your name, your wish will be granted. Simply enter for your chance to win in the Freebie of the Month Contest. Good Luck!

HURRY! LIMITED QUANTITIES!

The Spirit
By David Scroggy

One of the most interesting and eagerly anticipated film releases of the year, particularly for fans of graphic stories, is undoubtedly The Spirit. As legendary comics creator Frank Miller continues his growth into the medium of filmed entertainment, he brings to the big screen one of the genre's most-loved characters. Read more here.

Comics Feedbag
One of the most iconic characters of alternative comics--Mister X--is reborn in a new four-part series by his original creator, legendary designer Dean Motter! Don't miss out on Mister X: Condemned #1.

Book Barn
In the latest galaxy-spanning Clone Wars adventure, Anakin Skywalker and his young Padawan Ahsoka Tano go undercover in the cutthroat world of podracing in hopes of crushing a diabolical Separatist spy ring. Watch out, Jedi--speed kills! Make sure to pick up Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2--Crash Course.

Product Parade
Presenting the Weta Doctor Who: Doctor and Davros statue. In this piece, the creator of the Daleks faces a struggle between the Doctor and death. The Doctor has threatened to switch off his life support, unless Davros orders the mutants destruction.

Buy All Your Dark Horse Comics, Graphic Novels and Products Today at TFAW.com!

CBLDFNews A Special Message From Brad Meltzer

2008-12-29T13:37:00.001-08:00

No one likes these letters. But that doesn't make them any less important. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund needs our help. As I write this letter, their experts are preparing to testify on behalf of Christopher Handley, a private collector who faces up to 20 years in prison for possession of manga that the Federal Government has deemed obscene. If convicted, Handley's case will set new precedent that would make it easier for the government to prosecute private citizens for possession of art, and make art even more vulnerable for prosecution. As special consultant to the defense, the CBLDF is fighting to stop this from happening.

Handley's case shows why it's important that we support the CBLDF. For more than 20 years, the Fund has been going to court to defend retailers, creators, and now, readers who are singled out by prosecutors because of comics. They arrange and pay for the best counsel, an expense that would bankrupt most of us. When you contribute to the Fund, you're helping real people and safeguarding our First Amendment rights.

Because of your support, the Fund makes a difference. Your donations helped them march to victory in their defense of Rome, GA retailer Gordon Lee. For nearly three years Gordon was fighting a prosecutor's office that grossly overcharged him at the start of the case, and proceeded to cause multiple delays, including throwing out and refiling charges a year and a half into the case, and creating a mistrial when the case finally went before a jury. Over $100,000 was spent to defend Mr. Lee.

Without our support, the CBLDF can't perform this important work. Please join me in supporting the Fund by taking this opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. There are lots of ways to do this - you can sign up for membership, donate a piece of artwork or a rare comic book from your collection, or buy premiums from their website. And cash donations are always appreciated, of course.

If you're a creator or publisher, you can also donate some of your time to the Fund by signing for them at conventions and events, donating signed copies of your work, or something even more creative. If you're a retailer, why not host a CBLDF fundraiser at your store or sign up for retail membership?

However you decide to help, now is the time. The Fund is standing up for our rights as readers and creators. We need to stand behind them with our financial support so they can keep doing their important work. Please make your contribution to the CBLDF today.

Sincerely,

Brad Meltzer

Kingpin comic

2008-12-29T05:15:00.000-08:00

Kingpin comic Yudu version.pdf

GGRRR issue 2

2008-12-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

GGRRR issue 2

GGRRR Issue 1

2008-12-12T10:11:00.001-08:00

GGRRR Issue 1

Pony Express for November 2008

2008-11-26T17:04:00.001-08:00

If you have trouble reading this email, please see the online version.

Welcome to the Dark Horse Newsletter!

So let's go over the checklist one more time.

You got the turkey, cranberries, corn-bread stuffing, whipped cream and tomato aspic (on second thought, never mind that one -- sorry, Dad). But did you remember your comics?

We've got a few more tasty morsels that you simply must remember to pick up.

The Umbrella Academy has saved the world, but the house they were raised in is destroyed. One member is bedridden, the side of her head held together with tape; and another has lost her voice, the source of her power.

Now that they've fulfilled their destiny, does the Umbrella Academy have any future at all? The acclaimed Eisner Award-winning series from Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba returns in The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1.

Make sure to watch our UA: Dallas teaser trailer and check out our new UA zone while you're at it.

Robert E. Howard's vengeance-obsessed puritan continues his supernatural adventures in Solomon Kane #3, while the story arc of Buffy and Fray's adventures concludes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #19 written by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline.

Make sure to pre-order one of our cool Spirit products based on the upcoming movie The Spirit, which hits theaters in December!

And Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete without a visit from everyone's favorite guest . . . Domo. This fuzzy guy is sure to put a smile on everyone's face, even crazy Aunt Carla (just make sure to keep her kittens out of sight).

Well, that's all for now. See you next month for the year in review.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

--Matthew Parkinson, Pony Express Editor
(e-mail your comments to sireditrix@darkhorse.com)


*You mean I can eat as much turkey as I want and* check out all these great features while doing so?**
Have you been reading MySpace Dark Horse Presents? Well, get to it mister (or missus)! The latest installment of MDHP is live and features the work of Mike Mignola, Rob Reger (of Emily the Strange fame), Becky Cloonan, and more! It's all new, all free and all available to read now! Enter to win in our Umbrella Academy: Dallas Contest! Prizes include UA: Dallas #1, UA: Apocalypse Suite hardcover, UA T-shirt and more! Get the latest Solomon Kane, Kull, The Cleaners, and Gigantic desktops right here! Take our Kotobukiya Star Wars Vinyl Figures, Domos, and more out for a spin -- a 360-degree spin, that is. Simply click here! Read our exclusive interview with Umbrella Academy: Dallas artist Gabriel Ba! Also, be sure to check out our Making of a Comic: UA Dallas #1 feature, where you can see how this comic came to life -- from conception to completion it's all right here!

From the Publisher

Odds and ends on the day before Thanksgiving:

If you are a Bruce Campbell fan, and if you are lucky enough to have his new Dark Horse Indie film, My Name Is Bruce, come through your town . . . DON'T MISS IT. The film is a hilarious romp, full of in-jokes and made specifically for his rabid fan following (of which I include myself). If you read a terrific review, it's undoubtedly written by one of those fans. Believe them when they say the film is a hoot. And, just out of fairness, this film is not for you if you're looking for War and Peace.

In the "Better Late Than Never" department: I've been meaning to respond for some time to comments made by a talented comics creator several months ago. This creator urged others to move away from the so-called "Big Two" and said that it was time that they create and own their work. Of course, I applaud his call to arms, but I also wonder if he's been paying attention. The truth is that creators have been making that choice for some time now. Dark Horse was started with that very principle in mind. In 1986, Paul Chadwick walked away from offers by Marvel, DC, and at least a half-dozen others and published his book, Concrete, with Dark Horse, where it has remained for twenty-two years now. Over the following two decades, talents such as Frank Miller, Geof Darrow, Mike Mignola, Dave Gibbons, Neil Gaiman, Eric Powell, Steve Rude, Steve Niles, and so many more have brought their original and self-owned work to Dark Horse. Nor is our company the only choice for a comics creator. The landscape changed long ago, so that writers and artists have a variety of choices in our relatively new twenty-first century. So, I applaud the "battle cry," and say welcome to the party; it's about time you noticed.

Finally, the holiday season is here, and you might think about supporting your local comics shop. It's no secret that there has been a big downturn in retail stores, and the book industry has been hit hard. So, keep your local comics shop healthy (and around) by picking up an extra comic or two . . . and you know we wouldn't mind if they were Dark Horse titles.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Best,

Mike Richardson, Publisher

FREEBIE

Packed with thrilling fight sequences, imaginative creatures and fantastical worlds, Hellboy II: The Golden Army is now available on DVD and Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Simply enter for your chance to win in the Hellboy II: The Golden Army DVD Giveaway Contest. Good Luck!

HURRY! LIMITED QUANTITIES!

Happy Holidays!
By David Scroggy

I was recently asked to participate in a symposium on comic-book licensing organized by the Albany Law School in New York. The topic was a look at Dark Horse's history as a licensee, and how being a part of a licensing program can not only generate a few sales for our company, but also can add value to the underlying creative property itself. Read more here.

Comics Feedbag
When ancient giants begin to rise from their graves across England, Hellboy is invited to join a mysterious group called the Wild Hunt and help bring them down. Find out more in Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1.

Book Barn
Guts, the Black Swordsman, goes from the frying pan to the fire as he enters the mating chamber in the horrifying lair of the trolls to rescue his love, Casca, and the Lady Farnese from the loathsome attentions of the hideous beasts. Make sure to pick up Berserk Vol. 26.

Product Parade Hot on the heels of their stunning statues of the characters taken from Batman, Kolby Jukes and Oluf Hartvigson have created this limited-edition Spirit Movie Mini-Bust.

Buy Umbrella Academy Comics, Graphic Novels and Products Today at TFAW.com!

Pony Express for October 2008

2008-10-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

If you have trouble reading this e-mail, please see the online version.

Welcome to the Dark Horse house of horror!

After you've triple-locked the doors, made sure the closet is empty, and double-checked under your bed, it's time to rip into some good ol' tales of terror.

And have we've got a mausoleum full of spine-tingling stories for you!

Hitting stands this month, Mike Mignola returns to writing and drawing our favorite big red paranormal investigator in a new one-shot, Hellboy: In the Chapel of Moloch.

You talkin' to me, slackjaw? The Goon's war with Labrazio and the undead continues in The Goon #30.

In November, check out our latest addition to the horror line, The Cleaners, which tells the story of a group of for-hire trauma-scene cleaners and their disturbing encounters.

Private-dick monster-hunter Cal McDonald has frequented many bars in his time, but now he finds himself behind them. Find out why in Criminal Macabre: Cell Block 666.

Is it classic horror you're thirsty for? Sink your fangs into Bernie Wrightson's critically acclaimed illustrated version of Frankenstein; Uncle Creepy returns in our celebrated Creepy Archives series; and in the coming months keep your bloodshot eyes open for our Eerie Archives collection.

In need of a quick horror fix right now? Jump online and check out the Rex Mundi: Hill of Martyrs eComic.

What's that? Haven't been reading the latest horror manga titles like MPD-Psycho and The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service? Well here's a recommendation to die for: if you like Buffy, you'll love Saya! Check out her ongoing adventures as she battles shape-changing creatures and much more in the manga series Blood+.

So brew another cup of coffee and turn on all the lights, 'cause it's going to be a long night reading through these many Dark Horse tales of terror.

P.S. Don't look now . . . but I think I saw that closet door begin to swing open.

--Matthew Parkinson, Pony Express Editor
(e-mail your comments to sireditrix@darkhorse.com)


Trick or Treat? Not to worry--it's treats all around!!!
Dark Horse Comics has teamed with Jones Soda to create special-edition soda bottles featuring the iconic thirteen-year-old Emily the Strange and everyone's favorite zombie-fightin' tough guy, the Goon. Six hundred numbered and limited six-pack bottles are currently available to order at MyJones.com. Order yours today! The unlikeliest of heroes is back in Hellboy II: The Golden Army. With a signature blend of action, humor, muscles, and weapons, Hellboy II is the ultimate battle of good versus evil. Packed with thrilling fight sequences, imaginative creatures, and fantastical worlds, Hellboy II: The Golden Army is available on DVD and Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def November 11, 2008, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Bruce Campbell is hitting up cities across the country in support of his new film, My Name Is Bruce! In the movie, Bruce is kidnapped and brought to the town of Gold Lick to help defeat a Chinese demon by the name of Guan-Di. Unfortunately Bruce doesn't know that he's not just in another monster movie--Guan-Di is REAL! Now Bruce Campbell is in for the fight of his life! You can find out more information about the film and Bruce's appearances at www.mynameisbruce.net. Get the most spooktacular Creepy and Frankenstein desktops here! The latest installment of MySpace Dark Horse Presents has been posted! Plus, visit Dark Horse's MySpace page while you're at it! The scourge of the rock poster world, Stainboy was recently in Portland, Oregon, to promote his latest effort, Vicious Intent: The Rock 'N' Roll Art and Exploitation of Stainboy Reinel. Check out our video interview with the artist himself!

FREEBIE

On the heels of the second Hellboy feature film, legendary artist and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola returns to the drawing table for this standalone adventure of the world's greatest paranormal detective! Simply enter for your chance to win Hellboy: In the Chapel of Moloch. Good Luck!

HURRY! LIMITED QUANTITIES!

Comics Feedbag
In the dark tradition of Los Angeles noir, The Cleaners is a terrifying new mystery series about a ragtag team of for-hire trauma-scene cleaners led by ex-surgeon Robert Bellarmine. Contracted with sanitizing some of the nastiest crime and accident scenes in the tri-county L.A. basin, the team battles against what could only be described as the grim, unknowable face of the supernatural. Make sure to pick up The Cleaners #1.

Book Barn
The celebrated Buffy Season Eight series continues with Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Lost) writing Wolves at the Gate, with Joss Whedon continuing his role as executive producer, and Georges Jeanty as series artist. Includes the standalone issue written by Joss Whedon, "A Beautiful Sunset." Don't miss out on Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol. 3.

Product Parade
Available in limited quantities, our 5.5" Domo flocked vinyl figure comes in five colors: Classic Brown (limited edition), Olive Green (limited edition of 800), Ruby Red (limited edition of 800), Earl Grey (limited edition of 800), and Polar White (limited edition of 500). Pick up your Domo vinyl figure now!

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©2008 Dark Horse Comics. All rights reserved.

Buy All Your Horror Comics, Graphic Novels and Products Today at TFAW.com!

Dark Horse Deluxe unveils a new line of collectibles based on The Spirit!

2008-10-25T10:03:00.001-07:00

Dark Horse Launches The Spirit

Collectibles Program

One of the most anticipated new films of the year is Frank Miller’s movie adaptation of Will Eisner’s comic strip, The Spirit, opening Christmas Day. A classic action-adventure-romance, The Spirit tells the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead to fight crime from the shadows of an urban jungle. Dark Horse Deluxe has channeled the noir mood and exotic images of this Lionsgate release and brought the world of Central City into being with a new range of officially licensed collectibles—including a sculpted bust and statue, a beautiful snow globe, and a unique LED illuminated journal. As the movie opens nationwide, fans will be anticipating the arrival of these fine collectibles with the same eagerness with which they rushed to theaters to see the film.

The Spirit is portrayed by Gabriel Macht, who brings a larger-than-life heroic quality to the role. His performance inspired the initial sculptures: a limited-edition bust, full-size, limited-edition statue, and elaborate sculptural high-end snow globe. He was very generous in his cooperation for these projects, and the results are apparent in the realism of the finished work.

In selecting the creative team for this assignment, Dark Horse enlisted two of the most noted digital sculptors around to create the 3D versions of the moody hero. Hot on the heels of their stunning statues of the characters from the recent Batman smash hit, Kolby Jukes and Oluf Hartvigson have created, respectively, Dark Horse’s statue and bust.

The bust, which is the latest example of what is now a well-established area of modern collecting, measures 4.30"W X 3.15"D X 6.00"H . Packaged in a protective foam cube in deluxe color packaging, this piece is a hand-numbered limited-edition of only 750 copies for worldwide distribution. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $59.99 and The Spirit Movie mini-bust is scheduled to release on January 28, 2008.

The Spirit Statue presents the masked avenger in full figure (1:7 Life Size). The dimensions measure 11.21"W X 7.34"D X 8.5"H. Peering over a rooftop of Central City, The Spirit is poised and ready to spring. Sculpted by Kolby Jukes, this piece is also a numbered limited-edition of only 750 copies for worldwide distribution, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.00. It will be released on Christmas Day.

The continual snowfall is a graphic theme in The Spirit, as it as often been in Frank Miller’s graphic stories, and creates a visual atmosphere that oozes drama. Therefore, it was not hard to imagine a beautiful snow globe that would capture and reproduce the effect. Central City, as depicted in the film, essentially becomes one of the main characters. The detail was focused on the buildings and fire escapes, and the movie’s tagline acts as a rooftop sign. A high-quality 120mm glass sphere encases a liquid sky that is spackled with a miniature flurry of white. Crafting the miniature environment was a technical challenge for Dark Horse and sculptors Jukes and Hartvigson, but the result is a unique collectible that is fascinating. Limited to only 500 pieces, packaged in a foam cube in color packaging, The Spirit Movie Snow Globe has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.99, and will be available in retail stores in late November.

Long known for it’s modern artist journal and stationery line, Dark Horse Deluxe has come up with a new journal for The Spirit. A moody silhouette of the hero stands against a snow-spackled night sky. This cover is enhanced with a dozen or so tiny lighting elements concealed inside the journal’s cover. When activated by a hidden on/off button, the colored jewels in the snowflakes swirling around The Spirit light up as if under a streetlight on an urban winter’s night. The journal itself is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", with 128 interior pages suitable as a compendium of the owner's secret thoughts . A logo-lettered book spine conceals spiral binding. The publication date for this item is December 6, 2008, just in time for the film release. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $14.99.