Chicago's NOWtheatre will present a special performance of its new play,
"Signal to Noise," as a joint benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense
Fund and for the non-profit theatre group. "Signal to Noise" is adapted
for the stage from Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's ground-breaking graphic
novel. Gaiman himself will introduce the performance and attend a
reception before the show. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization protecting the
First Amendment rights of the comics community.
The benefit performance of "Signal to Noise" takes place on Saturday,
February 6 at 8:00 pm at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 North
Lincoln Avenue. A private reception with Gaiman and the authors of the
play will precede the performance at 6:00 pm. This reception is limited
to ticket holders only. Gaiman will also be on hand for questions
following the performance. Tickets for the evening cost $40 and are
available at the Victory Gardens Theatre box-office by calling
1-773-871-3000.
"I come from a country where free speech is something you must work
for," said Gaiman. "I do these things to raise money for the CBLDF
whenever I can, because I can. I wish we didn't need the CBLDF, and
everyone would let everyone else get on with the business of making,
reading, buying and selling comics without hindrance. But we don't live
in a perfect world. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is more important
now than ever before."
Gaiman, who first attracted critical acclaim for his graphic novels and
comic series "Sandman," has seen his unique vision successfully
translated for film, television, and two best-selling novels. Gaiman has
won the prestigious World Fantasy Award and is noted in "The Dictionary
of Literary Biography" as "one of the top ten post-modern writers" in
America. "Signal to Noise," first published in 1992, is one of Gaiman's
early collaborations with artist Dave McKean, whose striking work in
paint, ink, collage, and sculpture also graced the covers of all
seventy-five issues of "Sandman."
"Signal to Noise" has been adapted for the stage by Robert Tooms and
Marc Rosenbush, who also directs. True to Gaiman's original, the play
presents a richly textured, intensely theatrical experience with
something for everyone: paper storms, flagellants, numerology,
star-crossed lovers, a slightly mad hunchback, the Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse, giant puppets, and more.
The story revolves around a dying filmmaker's final project. In the
film-within-a-play, a group of people in 999 AD wait for the end of the
world. The filmmaker knows he won't live to make the film, but he writes
anyway, filling his last days with the one activity that gives joy and
meaning to the time he has left. Awaiting the inevitable, his thoughts
and feelings are echoed and illumined by the fears of his characters as
they count the hours until the Millennium's end and the coming of the
Apocalypse.
Proceeds from the performance will benefit the non-profit Comic Book
Legal Defense Fund, which since 1988 has protected the First Amendment
rights of creators, publishers, and retailers in the comics community.
Guided by the principle that comics should be afforded the same
Constitutional protection as film, literature, and other media, the CBLDF
has successfully funded the defense of more than a dozen artists,
publishers, and specialty retailers. As a creator of comics for mature
readers, Gaiman knows well the common misconceptions which often make the
medium an easy target for censors, crusading reporters, and grandstanding
politicians.
The benefit performance is made possible through the generous assistance
of Neil Gaiman, the NOWtheatre group, Dark Horse Comics, and the
nationally-known Chicago area bookstores, Stars Our Destination and
Chicago Comics.
The stage adaptation of "Signal to Noise" stars award-winning actor
William J. Norris, a veteran of hundreds of Chicago productions, best
known for having played Scrooge for twelve years in the Goodman Theatre's
annual production of "A Christmas Carol." He is supported by a large
ensemble cast that features some of Chicago's finest actors, including
Mary Zentmyer, Peter Toran, David Skidmore, Michael McAlister, Jane
deLaubenfels, Ann Marie Hieman, Glenn Fahlstrom, Bill Ryan, Matt Diehl,
Melissa Van Kersen, Cathleen Sperling, Robert Hungerford, Mary Kathryn
Bessinger, Robert Buscemi, and Mark Mysliwiec.
Director Marc Rosenbush is NOWtheatre's Artistic Director. He
co-produced the acclaimed "Buckets O' Beckett" festival (for which his
production of "Endgame" was named as one of Chicago's "Top Five Plays of
1996"); and was a 1997 finalist for the prestigious NEA/TCG Career
Development Program for Directors. The production team includes Robert
G. Smith (set and lighting design), Kevin Geiger (lighting design), Stacy
Ellen Rich (costume design), Lindsay Jones (original music and sound
design), and Cynthia Orthal (giant puppets). The play opens on February
4 and runs until March 14, with regular performances Wednesday through
Sunday.
For more information contact:
Chris Bleistein at The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
1-800-99-CBLDF cbldf@compuserve.com
TEMPLAR #1 AVAILABLE NOW FOR ADVANCE
MAIL ORDER
Checker Comics' Tale of Modern
Knighthood Ships Mid-January
DAYTON, Ohio - The debut issue of Templar from Checker Comics is
available now for advance ordering on the Checker website at
.
Fans can reserve copies of Templar #1, a full-color action/adventure comic based
on the tragic history of the mysterious Knights Templar, for shipment upon
publication in mid-January 1999.
Templar #1 introduces readers to the troubled history of the Templar Order
and to its clandestine modern remnants, who have survived in secrecy for seven
centuries since their betrayal by the Church during the dark days of the
Inquisition. Today's Templars comprise a vast and shadowy international
network, seldom participating in the events of the world, but constantly
training and preparing themselves to answer again the call of God - a call
which may come much sooner than they think, because the Church has uncovered
their existence and seeks Templar aid in a holy war the likes of which the
world has never seen. But one among them has doubts about the motives of
the Church, and remembers well the betrayal that drove the Templars
underground.
Checker Comics Publisher Mark Thompson, who writes and edits Templar, thought
the fascinating history of the Templars, and the dynamics of religious
conflict provided fertile ground for a comic book.
"There are a few religious comics out there, but mostly they advocate one
belief system or another. We wanted to focus on the idea of religion as a
source of conflict, to explore fanaticism by opposing superhuman
forces of the great religions," Thompson said.
Jamie Hurtt, the talented pencil behind Templar's fantastic interior art,
worked with Thompson to develop a look for the contemporary knights that
reflected their history, but also the advanced technology that makes them a
feared fighting force in modern combat.
"We ended up with a manga-esque 'giant robot' look where medieval armor
bristles with hoses and hydraulics. The Templar battle dress really lends
itself to dramatic, statuesque poses," Hurtt said.
Templar #1 (32 pp. full color) sells for $2.95, which includes all shipping
and handling, and can be purchased exclusively by mail order from Checker
Comics.
Checker Comics Publishing became the first Internet mail-order-exclusive
comic book publisher in November 1998, when it began offering its line only
via its website at .
The company was founded in 1997 and published its first
title in March 1998. Checker Comics is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.
NIFTY COMICS: UPCOMING RELEASES
Shipping in January 1999
Title: White Dwarf: Red Giant #1 - 32 pgs. B&W. Bi-monthly.
Price: $3.00
PREVIEWS APPEARANCE: November 1998
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!
Meet Karl Kolle, the White Dwarf. He's known as the greatest heavy
weight champion of all time in the super-powered Unlimited Class
Wrestling Federation. Recently retired, his day's just gone from bad to
worse. Follow WD as he runs into a crazed anthropomorphic dog, gets
conned into tracking down a rogue Super, and comes face-to-face with his
old wrestling nemesis, the Red Giant. Who said retirement was going to
be easy? Part wrestling, part superheroes, ALL fun! Written by Bill
Kieffer and illustrated by Rob Hawkins.
Also in this issue, the beginning of a four part "Garou" story by Andrew
Pellerito and Long Vo. Join us in a day-in-the-life of Frank Fenris, the
enigmatic detective of the Threshold Police Department. Going out on a
routine call, we follow Frank into a murder investigation that leads
from the Mayor's office to the sewers of Threshold - and what Frank
discovers has to be seen to be believed. If you're a fan of the X-Files
or Manga, then Garou is a "must see"!
Shipping in February 1999
Title: Cadre #1 - 32 pgs. B&W. Monthly.
Price: $3.00
PREVIEWS APPEARANCE: December 1998
THE NEW LEGENDS ARE HERE!!
This is the fun and furious first issue, featuring the defenders of
Empire City. Deep within the mountains of Empire City, an ancient power
has awakened, and it is up to 6 unlikely heroes to band together and
save the city from the monster known as Monolith. Join the White Dwarf
and the other members of the Cadre in "When Dreams Are Born" By
Nastos, Vivoni, and Rocafort.
Also in this issue, Talon: Pinnacle City has a new hero in town and not
everyone is pleased to hear it. Can Talon escape the clutches of Bane
and Boom, or will crime lord Abaddon make his first day in the city his
last? By Nastos, Patterson, and Sergesketter.
The Wonderlanders #1
The Wonderlanders #1 is due on comic stands around the world on January
20th, so here's a sneak peek at the 2 variant covers for the second issue
sans logos!
Both illustrated by series artist Kaare Kyle Andrews and distributed in a
50/50 ratio. The first one features The Wonderlanders in a desperate
attempt to break the chains that bind them, the second variant cover is a
sexy look at one of the leading ladies: HOPSKOTCH!
Both covers will be on sale in February alongside Virtex #3 and Wisp #1.
PS
VIRTEX #2 also on sale Jan. 20th sports a variant cover featuring the sexy
GUNMORRA character. You can catch these two covers on our web-site!
Checker Comics - Mutator #3 Ships 1/27
DAYTON, Ohio =96 In late January, Checker Comics - Mutator races
full-tilt into the third installment of its debut story, "Second
Genesis." With Issue #3, Checker=92s acclaimed biotech action comic rips
readers through a series of breakneck plot twists, and brings the
fugitive Mutator face to face with the diabolical Stranglehold.
The fine pencil and ink work of the hyper-talented David Berkebile
continues in Mutator #3 (full color, 24 pp., $2.49 including domestic
shipping), and it sports a wicked airbrushed cover by Dimitrios Patelis
-- an encore of his masterpiece covering Mutator #1. Mutator #3 can be
previewed on-line at
.
Checker Comics Publishing became the first Internet mail-order-exclusive
comic book publisher in November 1998, when it began offering its line
only via its website at www.checkercomics.com. The company was founded
in 1997 and published its first title in March 1998. Checker Comics is
headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.
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