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IMAGE COMICS GEARS UP FOR '80S GRAND SLAM
Masters of the Universe to Debut in November
After months of speculation, Image
Comics has
announced that MV Creations has obtained the exclusive license to
develop
comics based on the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE property from Mattel, Inc.
(NYSE:MAT). Image will begin publishing the new adventures of He-Man
and his
counterparts beginning in November 2002.
"We couldn't be more pleased to add MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE to the
Image
roster," commented Image Publisher/Vice-President Jim Valentino. "We
hit one
out of the park and sparked the '80s nostalgia boom last year with the
return of GI JOE, followed that up with MICRONAUTS and BATTLE OF THE
PLANETS, and this makes it a grand slam!"
"It's a dream come true for all of us here," said Val Staples,
President of
MV Creations. "We've been working closely with Mattel via our Website
www.he-man.org for almost two years to relay
important brand news to the fans. Then, early this spring we completed
a
special promotional comic and other exciting promotional items to be
released later this year with the toy line. Producing the new comic
series
was more than we ever could have hoped for."
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE will make its debut at Image Comics as a
four-issue
limited series that is centered around the animated cartoon feature by
Mike
Young Productions airing in August during the Toonami block on Cartoon
Network. The new comic book series will approach the stories from a
more
mature angle, with intense action and emotional depth.
After the conclusion of the initial Cartoon Network special depicting
the
never-before-told story of how Prince Adam become He-Man, a regular
series
will launch, focusing on the saga of the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE,
exploring
the individuality of popular characters while introducing fans and
collectors to the less-than-campy side of this well-loved franchise.
"The direction of the story and the quality of the art is very
important to
Mattel," Staples noted. "They are mindful of the fans, and they do not
want
to limit the creative possibilities of the comic. This makes producing
the
series even more enjoyable for the entire creative team.
"While the comic must revolve around the saga of the new toy line and
cartoon, the story within won't be treated as just a rehash of the
past. We
will explore areas fans have wondered about for years, and the comic
will
lead up to things no one ever expected."
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE will be written by Staples with some surprise
guest
writers also contributing over the course of the series. Penciling the
series is Italian artist Emiliano Santalucia, whose talent and passion
is
certain to take the American market by storm. Santalucia will be joined
by
inker Marco Failla, also from Italy, and the perfect complement to
Emiliano's pencils. Colors are by Jason Keith, of CrossGen fame, one of
the
youngest and brightest superstar colorists in the industry today, and
lettering will be handled by the inimitable Dreamer Design.
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #1 will feature three covers: one by
Santalucia, one
by J. Scott Campbell, and a special wrap around cover by renowned
painter
Earl Norem. Many longtime MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE fans should recall
that
Norem painted the posters/covers for the old MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
magazine, and he's coming out of retirement specifically to be part of
the
series' relaunch.
"We are very excited to have Image Comics and MV Creations on board for
the
relaunch of Masters of the Universe," said Mattel's Marketing Director,
Geoff Walker. "This is one of the largest action figure launches in
Mattel's
history. The role of comic books in extending the storyline to our fans
is
very important. Image and MV Creations have shown the passion for
He-man
that we believed necessary to create an incredible comic. Additionally,
fans
of J. Scott Campbell and Earl Norem are in for a special treat with
their
interpretations of He-man."
VIOLENT MESSIAHS WORKS DOUBLE-TIME
Michael Turner Contributes Special Variant Cover to Benefit ACTOR
Image Comics announced today that the
first
issue of VIOLENT MESSIAHS: LAMENTING PAIN will feature a special
alternate
cover by FATHOM artist Michael Turner and that proceeds from its sales
will
go to ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots). This stunning piece depicts
VIOLENT
MESSIAH's newest vigilante, Scalpel, bathed in eerie moonlight and
awash in
a sea of blood.
"Personally speaking, VIOLENT MESSIAHS has been one of my favorite
books
right from the get-go, so I'm very happy we could do a fundraiser in
conjunction with the title," said ACTOR President Jim McLauchlin. "It's
also
great to link up talented creators such as Michael Turner and Peter
Stiegerwald with the VM crew, and expand everyone's circle of friends.
I
think Mike and Peter did a stunning job on this piece. I hope we sell a
boatload of copies and raise a lot of dough for the cause."
"We have been staunch supporters of ACTOR since its inception, and
VIOLENT
MESSIAHS artist Tone Rodriguez has donated original art for each of
their
auctions in the past," added VIOLENT MESSIAHS editor Jan
Utstein-O'Neill.
"When Jim came to us with the idea of doing something special for VM:
LAMENTING PAIN #1, we were more than happy to help. And, of course,
working
with artists of Michael and Peter's caliber only makes it sweeter."
Image Publisher/Vice-President Jim Valentino (who also sits on ACTOR's
Board
of Directors) added that Image is always eager to help promote ACTOR
and its
goals. "ACTOR is one of the most worthwhile charities in our industry's
history. I'm very proud of the support it has received from the VM crew
and
others here at Image. This is a variant cover that everyone can and
should
support."
VIOLENT MESSIAHS: LAMENTING PAIN is available for order in the August
issue
of Diamond's Previews and will ship in September 2002. In the meantime,
the
long-awaited trade paperback collection of the first series VIOLENT
MESSIAHS series, THE BOOK OF JOB, will be available in stores on July
3.
ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots) is dedicated to providing relief and
support to many of the talented creators who helped found the comic
book
industry. Many Golden Age or Silver Age creators toiled in comics'
earlier
days for low pay and with a nonexistent pension plan. Today, many of
these
people who laid the groundwork that today's industry works on may be in
financial need. Be it due to age, health, or just low salaries with no
retirement plan, they may need a hand. ACTOR provides a safety net for
former comic creators in need. ACTOR is dedicated to helping creators
with
emergency medical aid, financial support, and entrance back into paying
work.
ACTOR's 501 (c) (3) paperwork, making it an official non-profit
organization, was approved by the federal government in February, 2001.
For more information or to send donations to ACTOR please contact:
ACTOR (A Commitment To Our Roots)
11301 Olympic Blvd, #587
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310 268 1530
BATTLE OF THE PLANETS #1 BREAKS 150,000
Celebrations erupted at Top Cow when initial numbers for the debut issue of the Battle of the Planets revamp by Alex Ross, Munier Sharrieff, Wilson Tortosa and Udon Studios exceeded 150,000. Battle of the Planets #1 is set to ship into retail stores the second week of July.
"This was about twice what I had projected for initial sales of the book, so I announced the sales over the loudspeaker of our office when they came in and everyone cheered," says Top Cow President Matt Hawkins. "In this case, it was nice to be wrong."
"We're all really excited about the initial orders for Battle of the Planets," says Top Cow Editor-in-Chief David Wohl. "It's nice to see that the fans and retailers have as much faith in this as Alex, Munier, Wilson, Udon, and all of us at Top Cow have for this book! It's truly been a pleasure to work on and I hope it'll be just as much fun to read!"
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