Comic Nation

DARK HORSE HIRES KARI TORSON AS MANAGER OF INTERNATIONAL LICENSING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse is pleased to announce the hiring of Kari Torson for the role of Manager of International Licensing!

A graduate of the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Kari Torson went on to receive her MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College, Boston. Torson got her start working as a subsidiary rights associate at Simon & Schuster in New York City. From there she worked at Writers House before returning to rights management for children’s books at HarperCollins Publishers. Most recently she worked in foreign rights at Penguin Random House.

“For me, the best storytelling is a perfect blend of text and art, so I’ve always been drawn to comics, advocating for them at every opportunity. Dark Horse writers and artists are some of the most masterful in the industry and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Dark Horse team in a position where it’s actually my job to license comics all over the world,” said Torson.

“We are thrilled to have such a bright and energetic person move across the country to join us. Kari will make a great addition to the Dark Horse team,” said Dark Horse’s executive vice president, Neil Hankerson. “Kari’s previous publishing licensing experience will serve her well in her new role as Manager of International Licensing.”

Please join us in congratulating Kari Torson on her past accomplishments and wishing her luck in her new role in the company.

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Lion Forge Comics Expands Distribution
With IDW Publishing

Digital Publisher Behind Airwolf, Knight Rider, and Rampage Jackson: Street Soldier Comics to Launch Print Versions of Licensed and Original Properties

SAN DIEGO and ST.LOUIS – (July XX, 2014) – Since it doesn’t always make sense to bag and board your smartphone to try and preserve your digital comic-book collection, Lion Forge Comics has partnered with award-winning publisher IDW Publishing to introduce its popular digital comics library into the print comics market.   
 
Lion Forge is kicking off its print collection with two of its notable licensed titles, Airwolf and Knight Rider, based on the classic NBC Universal television series. The publisher also will release its original series, Rampage Jackson: Street Soldier, inspired by MMA fighter, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Lion Forge and IDW will also publish and distribute print trades of Lion Forge’s other original and licensed collections, including titles from their all-ages and young adult imprint, ROAR Comics, as current digital versions are completed.

“We are excited to be entering this creative endeavor with IDW, a company we feel is on the forefront of progressive publishing,” said David Steward II, CEO, Lion Forge. “With IDW’s experience and reputation for innovation, this partnership will exponentially  increase Lion Forge’s potential to explore new and unique avenues for our content.”
 
“Lion Forge has made a name for itself in the world of digital comics,” said Greg Goldstein, President, IDW. “Their dynamic library offers readers everything from a super powered Rampage Jackson to reboots based on iconic ‘80s television shows. We welcome the opportunity to showcase daring and talented publishers such as Lion Forge to our increasing audience by offering print versions of their digital books.”
 
Lion Forge also recently partnered with motion comics platformMadefire, bringing their digital content to life with moving panels and explosive sounds. Readers can browse and purchase current original and licensed titles on their tablets and smartphones via the Amazon Kindle Bookstore and through the ComicsPlus app.
 
About Lion Forge Comics
Lion Forge is a St. Louis-based transmedia studio with a focus on digital publishing. With both original and licensed titles, including all-ages books from their ROAR Comics division, Lion Forge brings together the brightest talent to acquire and develop content and character franchises within the comic book, television, film and interactive gaming industries. Lion Forge applies cinematic elements to each property to create compelling, story-driven experiences from start to finish, bringing unique entertainment experiences to both traditional and digital marketplaces. For more information, please visit www.lionforge.com or the Lion Forge Facebook and Twitter pages.

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MIKE RICHARDSON’S FATHER’S DAY!

How to be a good dad: stop killing people!

MILWAUKIE, OR—Coming this fall from Dark Horse Comics is a brand-new, action-packed crime thriller written by Dark Horse publisher and Eisner Award nominee Mike Richardson (47 Ronin, The Secret, Cut, The Atomic Legion).

Illustrated by Gabriel Guzmán (Star Wars, Cable, Kull), Father’s Day takes family matters to a whole new level. 

As a mob enforcer, he was called the East Side Butcher, but twenty years later Silas has found peace. That is, until his abandoned daughter shows up to give him a piece of her mind…and unwittingly leads a legion of hit men to settle accounts with Silas!

“I’ve always loved crime stories. I’ve had this story in my head for years…It’s great…Crime fans are gonna love it,” noted Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. 

Father’s Day #1 (of 4) is on sale October 22! Preorder your copy today!

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FILIP SABLIK PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF PUBLISHING AND MARKETING AT BOOM! STUDIOS

July 16,  2014 – Los Angeles, CA – BOOM! Studios announced today the promotion of Filip Sablik from Vice President of Publishing and Marketing to President of Publishing and Marketing at the company.

Since stepping down as Publisher of Top Cow and coming aboard BOOM! in June of 2012, Sablik has overseen the company’s Publishing Operations and Marketing department.

As the head of Publishing, Sablik manages BOOM!’s relationship with Diamond Comic Distributors for the Direct Market and International English language book trade; Simon and Schuster for the US book trade; HarperCollins Canada for Canadian book distribution; and Titan Distribution for the U.K. book market. In the digital space, Sablik oversees BOOM!’s relationships with ComiXology, iVerse, Overdrive, Follett, Kobo, Madefire, and Nook, among others. BOOM!’s relationships with their printing partners, licensing partners, and retail partners, along with new business development, also fall under Sablik’s purview.  

Sablik launched the highly successful #WeAreBOOM campaign in 2013, architected a rebranded boom-studios.com website which saw a 100% increase in sales, and supervised BOOM!’s appearance at 22 conventions domestically as well as in Canada, Dubai, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. In the direct market, Sablik spearheaded several new retailer initiatives, including BOOM!’s “All You Need To Know” e-newsletter and video, an ongoing limited-edition promo item initiative, and the BOOM! Innovators program.   

“There’s a reason Filip Sablik is recognized as one of the most respected executives in the business,” said BOOM! Studios CEO and Founder, Ross Richie. “The guy’s a force to be reckoned with and has been instrumental to the company’s growth and critical to our operational excellence as BOOM! expanded.”

Under Sablik’s leadership, the Publishing and Marketing departments have grown from two employees to a total of nine in just 22 months. Since coming on board, Sablik has played a key role in establishing licensing relationships with MGM, Core Music, and Surge Entertainment, alongside expanding BOOM!’s highly successful relationship with Cartoon Network to include the only publishing first-look deal in the studio’’s history. Additionally, he has brought new creators into the BOOM! Studios fold and was key in the assimilation of the Archaia team post-acquisition in 2013. Working alongside Chief Executive Officer and Founder Ross Richie, Editor-in-ChiefMatt Gagnon, and the rest of the BOOM! executive team, Sablik has been instrumental in growing all facets of the publisher’s business. Sablik will continue to report directly to Richie.

“Filip has been an essential part of our team from the moment he came on board and continues to be an incredible leader for us,” said Gagnon. “He has all the smarts, work ethic, and integrity that you want in an executive and has proven time and again to be an invaluable teammate.”

Sablik got his start in comics working at Diamond Comics Distributors in 2000. In August of 2006, he joined Top Cow as VP of Marketing and Sales before eventually being promoted to Publisher in early 2008 and transitioning to BOOM! in June of 2012.

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GET ‘HEXED’ WITH
MICHAEL ALAN NELSON’S
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM
BOOM! STUDIOS
 

HEXED #1 Main Cover by Emma Rios

HEXED #1 Retailer Incentive Cover by Dan Mora
 
When you’re a thief-for-hire, life can be complicated. When you add the supernatural to the mix, things really get crazy! Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is pleased to announce the new ongoing series HEXED, a relaunch of the fan-favorite creation from veteran writerMichael Alan Nelson (DAY MEN), with new series artistDan Mora. This new series dives back into the depths of the Aether with Luci Jennifer Inacio Das Neves, better known as “Lucifer,” the supernatural thief-for-hire, as she takes on the dark denizens of the netherworld in search of wondrous objects for her mentor/mother figure, Val Brisendine. In addition, artist Emma Rios (Pretty Deadly, Strange), who debuted in American comics on the first HEXED series, returns to illustrate covers.

“HEXED is hands-down one of my favorite titles we’ve ever published,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “The original HEXED series with Michael and Emma was a special series for all involved, and ahead of its time in many ways. Emma has gone on to become a titan as a comic book artist and Michael remains one of the best in the business when it comes to dark urban fantasy. Meanwhile, all of us have always wanted to come back to Luci. Her story is barely beginning. Lucifer is sharp, courageous, and just cool, exactly the type of rogue thief you want to follow. And in the tradition of HEXED, we’re debuting another breakout series artist in the incredible Dan Mora. Make sure you get in early on this one!”

Lucifer, who has appeared in FALL OF CTHULHU VOL. 3: THE GRAY MAN and the 2011 HEXED limited series, is a quick-witted mash-up of Buffy the Vampire Slayerand Lara Croft. HEXED was Pretty Deadly and Amazing Spider-Man superstar Emma Rios’ introduction to the American comics scene back in 2008, and new series artist Dan Mora is poised to continue the trend with his lyrical, horrific, and wholly unique take on Lucifer.

HEXED #1 arrives in comic book shops on August 13th with a main cover by Emma Rios for the price of $3.99 under Diamond order code JUN140934. There will also be a retailer incentive cover illustrated by series artist Dan Mora available in limited quantity. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly fromboom-studios.com.

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Enemy Ace Joins The Artist’s Edition Ranks!

Joe Kubert’s Seminal DC Comics Series On Its Way

San Diego, CA (July 16, 2014) – Reimagining the popular war stories that filled the pages of comic books throughout the 1950’ and 1960’s, Joe Kubert’s Enemy Ace made an unlikely hero into a genre icon. The classic tales of airborne suspense that first thrilled readers over 50 years ago, will make their mark all over again with Joe Kubert Enemy Ace: Artist’s Edition.
 
Created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert in 1968 as an alternate take on the highly successful war-based comics,Enemy Ace introduced a hero that by all superficial definitions was a villain. A high-flying pilot for the Germans, Hans von Hammer was a star soldier but morally conflicted by the duties that his role demanded.
 
“I’ve loved every single one of our Artist’s Editions, but for me, this is the big one,” said Dirk Wood, IDW’s Vice President of Marketing. “Ask Scott Dunbier, I’ve bugged him about the possibility of this book since pretty much my first day at IDW. Kanigher and Kubert’s Enemy Ace was my absolute favorite comic as a kid, and remains so to this day. To see that material again, in this format, is going to be something special.”
 
Joe Kubert: Enemy Ace Artist’s Edition presents five entire issues of the decorated DC Comics series Star Spangled War Stories, including #139, 140, 141, 142 144. Scanned directly from the original art, this complete collection will also feature bonus material like covers and promos. At over 150 pages, the Artist’s Edition measures at 12” x 17”.
 
The masterwork joins the two Artist’s Editions that already showcased Kubert, Joe Kubert’s Tarzan of the Apes and Joe Kubert’s Tor.
 
Joe Kubert’s Enemy Ace: Artist’s Edition lands this November, keep an eye on facebook.com/idwpublishing for pre-order information and more Artist’s Edition news!

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