"The Tale of One Bad Rat," written by British comic artist Bryan Talbot, is the beautiful and dramatic story of a talented teenage girl struggling to regain self-worth and freedom from an abusive childhood. Her successful quest is classic, with some interwoven and unexpected fantasy elements. It has been published by Dark Horse Comics (Star Wars, The Mask) in nine countries and has been in continual release since 1995.
The book has won numerous awards including the prestigious Eisner Award, the Comic Creator¹s Guild, two UK Comic awards, and the American Parent¹s Choice award. In 1998 it made the NY Times annual list of recommended reading. It is found as a set text for schools, universities, and in several child abuse counseling centers in Britain, Finland, France, Germany and North America.
Tom Lyle is currently writing the screenplay adaptation, and Fat Dragon projects late 2003 or early 2004 to begin actual production. His independent film credits include the comedy "Bubbas In the Mist" and a psychological thriller "Dougie's Room." "Bubbas" was in the NY International Independent Film Festival Richard, "Dougie's Room" will be featured at the Silver Sprocket International Film Festival this year. Lyle is well-known for his Spider-man and Robin comic book portrayals.
Richard O¹Brien ("Riff Raff" in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show") has already been selected as one of the featured secondary characters for "The Tale of One Bad Rat."
For more information contact Fat Dragon at 276-669-7889.
If you check out the current Diamond's PREVIEWS catalog (Mar 2002 for books shipping in May), not only will you find the solicitation for Scott Mills' new WWI-based graphic novel, TRENCHES, but you'll also find on page 215, a PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT on TOP SHELF (as part of "UNDER THE READING LAMP"). Diamond has graciously featured an article on our house . . . thank you, guys! -- and has also re-offered several of our titles this month: Good-bye, Chunky Rice; Big Clay Pot; Abe; and Cicada. If you haven't tried these books yet, Diamond is making it really easy for you to do so this month. We know you'll love 'em!
TRENCHES
by Scott Mills
Scott Mills is back! And this time he hits the trenches. Lloyd and David Allenby are two brothers with little in common, except the will to survive World War I. When they arrive in the trenches of the Western Front, they have no idea of the misery and violence that awaits them. Can an aloof Major be the father figure and guiding force in their desperate battle for survival? Or will the estranged brothers be swallowed up before they can come to terms with each other? Trenches . . . A beautiful story in an ugly war. -- $14.95 (US), 176 pages, 8 1/2" x 7", Graphic Novel, Perfect Bound, Color Cover, B&W Interiors, ISBN 1-891830-28-7
Just so you know, has been completely updated.
If you'd like to know what we're up to in 2002 . . . What we have slated for 2003 . . . Which From Hell, Birth Caul, and Snakes & Ladders pages are still available.
What books we currently have in stock . . . Just visit us and see for yourself.
And to celebrate the update, we're running a special right now:
Buy $100.00 of books on-line and get an extra $25.00 of books free! (not available wholesale)
MoCCA ART FEST UPDATE
All the tables for the SPX / EXPO 2002 in Bethesda, Maryland have now sold out! So, if you want to be involved in the East Coast Small Press Scene this year you better contact Kristen Siebecker soon to reserve your table for the first-ever New York small press show, the MoCCA ART FEST. Tables are selling out fast here as well, but if you make plans now you might still get in.
All entry proceeds will benefit the:
MUSEUM OF COMIC AND CARTOON ART
The official website for further information:
May 4, 2002 marks the start of the first annual Free Comics Day, but for most small publishers, its not as easy to contribute as much as they would like. Thats why one publisher is trying a different approach to do what they can to help retailers and readers alike.
Fade From Blue #1, a new female-friendly, bi-monthly series from Second 2 Some Studios slated to hit stands May 1, will have a starting price of just one dollar, giving retailers a lower-priced, excuse-proof comic to offer both male and female readers. "Its harder for independent publishers to compete with the generosity that the larger companies can afford to do on that day, but we didnt want that to stop us from trying whatever we financially could," says Scott Dalrymple, artist for Fade >From Blue, "The Spider-Man movie and free merchandise will make a lot of curious readers stop into stores nationwide, so we figured having our comic at a fair price might make it more accessible to new readers that may not be used to current prices." To help out retailers and readers even further, S2S Studios recently decided that each subsequent issue of Fade From Blue will be priced at only $1.50 (32 pages each).
"After asking dozens of retailers about what else might be helpful, the consensus was that offering more information about what they were buying would be a plus," says Dalrymple, which is why completed pages (with words) for every issue will be posted on their website two months before it hits the stands (at the same exact time that issue is listed on sale in Previews). "Expecting a retailer to take a risk on a book without knowing if they have a customer for it is a big assumption," says Dalrymple, "Hopefully, we can make their job easier by giving them pages to look at before they buy, not several weeks before the series is due out." Right now, readable pages are available for #1 (listed in the March issue of Previews on sale Feb 27) as well as a chance to vote on deciding the final cover.
Fade from Blue, the story of four half-sisters brought together by tragedy and stuck together by circumstance, is geared towards a mature audience with a story angle that should attract as many female readers for its drama as it will male readers for its sarcasm. Issue #1 (which has already received a Spotlight and Certified Cool rating by Diamond) can be found on page 318 in the March Previews. Retailers and readers looking to get a sneak peek can check out completed sample pages at .
Chaos! Comics is proud to announce that the company will be involved with James O'Barr's The Crow property. The deal was finalized on Tuesday, February 19, 2002.
The Crow was a comic book published by Image Comics. The property inspired numerous full length motion pictures (based on the same name) made famous in the original by the late actor Brandon Lee (son of Bruce Lee). James O'Barr will be involved in the project as will Crow movie producers Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation. The release date will be some time after the San Diego ComiCon. More news is expected to follow.
For more information on Chaos! visit .
International fans of CrossGen can now access their new Comics On The Web service via Cool Beans World (). Already home to cutting edge online comics entertainment from the brightest talents in the industry, Cool Beans World is the only partner in the Comics On The Web scheme to host CrossGen content in-house, providing speedier access for subscribers in Europe and the rest of the world. To celebrate the arrival of CrossGen, Cool Beans World has been redesigned with a fresh new look and a great new price structure.
The Cool Beans World portal () now offers access to three times the entertainment . . .
Cool Beans World Comics: the original pioneering interactive comic experience, featuring animated multimedia comics and classic material from big name creators. Cool Beans World offers access to seven exclusive on-going series, plus our popular archive material, games, competitions and interviews.
CrossGen Comics On The Web: Access to every CrossGen title, constantly updated, and available on your computer for only $1 a month? Yes, its true! Fans are already singing the praises of this bold venture, and as pioneers in web comics, we are proud to be involved in this leap forward for the genre. At this low, low price, its perfect for an introduction to the CrossGen universe, or to plug the gaps in your monthly reading habits!
Cartoonscape: an online riot of gag cartoons, hilarious animations and daily and weekly comic strips from Garfield, Andy Capp and the cream of the cartooning scene. Cartoonscape reflects the lighter side of comic entertainment. For laughter on the move, Cartoonscape is also available on your WAP phone.
This is only the beginning of a long-term restructuring during which even more areas will be added to the portal, making Cool Beans World () the ultimate source for online entertainment for 2002 and beyond!
Future-Primitive is proud to present it's latest line of PC games, the AMERICAN HUNTING SERIES.
Varmint Hunter features a realistic hunting experience set in true 3D environments. Explore immense landscapes, from the deserted Badlands to the dense forests of Burkittsville in search of over 12 unique critters. Watch as the varmints react to you and each other guided by an enhanced artifical intelligence system. Lure your prey with calls and scents. Gauge wind direction and topographical locations to gain advantageous shots. Earn points for long distance shots on your way to becoming the almighty hunting master!
Any hunter who has a kid who likes to hunt should get this game!
Varmint Hunter is a great game and I hope to see more games like this one!
I've had it for several weeks now and really enjoy the game!
Get the VARMINT HUNTER CDROM for only 24.95!
Available exclusively at .
Happy Hunting!
The long-anticipated finale to the most surprising science-fiction mini-series Two Over Ten will be making its' way to retailers one week earlier than expected, hitting shelves nationwide March 6.
Two Over Ten was featured in Comics Buyers Guide in November 2001 as one of the first comic series that was completely finished before it was even solicited to Diamond, a plan put in motion to help retailers nervous about investing in a series that, like many new B+W titles, may never see completion. Completed pages (with text) from Two Over Ten #4 (on sale today) and Two Over Ten #5 are available right now at .
Second 2 Some hopes to make things even easier for retailers and readers alike by offering completed review pages of their new on-going series Fade From Blue (due out May 2) just in time for its' solicitation in the March Previews catalog. "As a reader, it's hard enough to figure out what titles to invest in two months ahead of time," says Scott Dalrymple, the serie's artist, " We didn't think it was fair to expect retailers to do the same thing with our new series without giving them a taste of what they were getting."
Northampton, MA -- The Board of Directors of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) has selected Charles Brownstein as its new Executive Director. Brownstein becomes the Fund's fourth full-time director, replacing the recently departed Chris Bleistein.
Brownstein has been one of the more prolific comics journalists of the past decade. He entered the field in 1994 as the writer and publisher of the interview magazine Feature. In three years Brownstein self-published fourteen issues of the magazine, capturing the insights of some of the field's brightest talent during the most tumultuous period in the direct market's history.
In 1998 Brownstein became Programming Director for Comic-Con International where he was responsible for organizing panels and seminars for CCI: San Diego, Comic Book Expo, Pro/Con, and APE. He returned to journalism in 2000, writing for magazines and web sites including The Comics Journal, Comics Buyer's Guide, Comic Book Resources, and TheComicStore.com. He also served as articles editor for the Expo Anthology, published to benefit the CBLDF.
In 2001 Brownstein was the principal reporter for Comicon.com's SPLASH, where he covered the entire convention circuit and broke several of the year's most important news stories. Brownstein also contributed stories to Publisher's Weekly and to the inaugural edition of Wizard Edge.
Last year he also served on the Expo's Steering Committee as Programming Director and consulted in both formal and informal capacities for a variety of comics-related causes.
"We're excited to have Charles join the Fund," said CBLDF President Denis Kitchen. "I've worked with Charles on an industry committee for the past two years and have been impressed with his fresh ideas, intellect, high energy level and round the clock work ethic. I can't wait to see what this combination does for our organization."
"I'm excited by the opportunity to work for the Fund," Brownstein said. "At this stage in comics history and national affairs, a strong CBLDF is more important than ever. We don't yet know what the cost of free speech is in the 21st Century, but we need to ensure that the Fund is there to help preserve it regardless of price."
"Because of their relatively low cost of production," Brownstein added, "Comics can provide a diversity of free expression unmatched by other media. As comics attain a higher profile, the Fund must grow as a strong advocate and defender of this powerful and unique art form. With the help of the comics community we hope to achieve this goal by creating dynamic fundraisers and educational publications that will elevate the profile of medium, the knowledge of the community, and the solidity of the Fund's war chest."
Brownstein's selection was made without any dissenting board votes. The seven person board currently consists of writer Peter David, distributor John Davis, writer Neil Gaiman, retailer Greg Ketter, publisher/artist/agent Denis Kitchen, retailer Frank Mangiaracina and intellectual property attorney Louise Nemschoff. An eighth member, Susan Alston, the CBLDF's first full-time Executive Director, recently resigned from the board.
Gaiman offered a wry endorsement following the board's vote. "On my last hellish signing tour," he noted, "Charles somehow managed to do an interview with me in San Francisco at midnight in a store, after a long day's signing. To this day I have no idea quite why or how it happened. I do know he couldn't have taken 'No,' 'Absolutely no,' or 'Completely out of the question' as answers, because he got his interview, leaving me both slightly resentful (it came out of my sleeping time) and a bit impressed. I'd like those powers of not giving up and going away to be used on behalf of the CBLDF."
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to protect constitutional rights and to educate the comics community on its First Amendment rights. Tax- deductible donations and inquiries should be directed to the CBLDF at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For more CBLDF news and information, pick up a copy of "Busted!," the Fund's free periodic newsletter, or visit the CBLDF web-site at .
From the creators of the critically acclaimed "Kingdom Of The Wicked" comes a stunning tale of murder, mystery and Martians!
A decade after the events in HG Wells War of the Worlds, the industrious Victorians have assimilated the Martian technology into their everyday lives. The first and second world wars do not happen and the terrible Martian heat-ray has assured the continued dominance of the British Empire. Meanwhile in London, bodies found drained of blood are baffling the police. What link can a gruesome but simple crime have to the mysteries of the Martian past? Enter Robert Autumn, a gentleman adventurer, drawn into an arcane mystery that will affect the fate of the entire planet.
On February 1st, 2002, author Ian Edginton (The Establishment) and artist DIsraeli (Lazarus Churchyard) launch an epic, animated comic book adventure that delves into the realm of the fantastic and the unknown. Available exclusively online at Cool Beans World, "Scarlet Traces" combines traditional painted artwork with animated panels, sound effects and music to create a truly next-generation multimedia comic experience.
Cool Beans World (www.coolbeansworld.com) is the worlds leading multimedia comics site, producing comic book content that combines big name talent with cutting-edge technology to create comics content worthy of the 21st Century. Subscriptions cost only $2.95 for four weeks access to a constantly updated portfolio of seven on-going stories, plus archive material, games, message boards and competitions.
Send press releases to:
P. O. Box 882 Bellaire, TX 77402-0882
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