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In this special edition of the Arcana Comics newsletter, we want to introduce to you some special Halloween treats that are sure to make your All Hallow’s Eve a haunting experience. 

Dead Men Tell No Tales TPB

In the golden age of piracy, Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and Black Bart Roberts, the three most reviled pirates in history, contend for the most sacred prize the world has ever known - the lost Relics of Christ! Their battle stained the seven seas crimson leaving only dead men who would tell no tales. But the dead have a way of speaking without words…

Diamond order code: JUN083650

ISBN: 978189754189

Cover artist: Ben Templesmith

Cover price: $14.95

 

Koni Waves: First Wave TPB

Meet Koni Kanawai and friends as they take on killer Tiki monsters, surf vampires, alien jewel thieves, and armies of the undead. This collection includes al three issues of the cult mini-series and the rare full length New York Comic Con exclusive story, The Headdress of the Undead! Featuring brand new artwork from series artist, Stephen Sistilli and pages from the out of print Koni Waves ashcan from 2001. A must have for any serious kahuna who loved the original series or haole who doesn’t want to be left out.

Diamond order code: APR073381

ISBN: 9780976309505

Cover artist: Mike Capprotti

Cover price: $9.95

 

Marlow One-shot

“Marlow” is a mercenary who struggles with his fears of who he is and what he can become. Badly hurt, the pharmaceutical company NuPharma tried to save Marlow, but accidentally turned him into the walking dead. In exchange for medicines that keep him from reverting to a zombie state, Marlow does all the dirty work the company asks him. Marlow works with a team of loose-knit associates who know of his affliction, but who are not altogether trustworthy.

Diamond order code: JUL083655

Cover artist: Dario Carrasco Jr

Cover price: $4.95

 

Velvet Rope One-shot

Admit one to a new collection of horrifying tales! Grab your popcorn and candy, as Velvet, the beautiful usher from beyond the grave introduces Arcana’s barnd of spine tingling horror in this anthology which includes deadly glimpses of upcoming Arcana titles.

Diamond order code: AUG083743

Cover artist: Stephen Sistilli

Cover price: $5.95

Dark Horrors TPB

Psychological horror is at the forefront with nods to the Twilight Zone and the horror magazines from years past. The book includes an all-new Koni Waves short story by series co-creator Mark Poulton and Wildstorm’s World of Warcraft artist Jon Buran! As well, stories from The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allen Poo creator Dwigth MacPherson and Marlow’s Aaron Thomas Nelson haunt these pages. The book was compiled using not only Arcana’s own talent, but talent taken straight from their message boards. All in all, 18 stories made teh cut!

Diamond order code: SEP063063

ISBN: 0976309564

Cover artist: Ashley Wood

Cover price: $9.95

 

Buy the books now: http://www.arcanacomics.com/store/

In Previews

This month in Previews, for items shipping December, Arcana will be publishing Kade: Rising Sun #1 (of 4) CVR A Billy Tucci (Diamond Code: OCT08 3824), Kade: Rising Sun #1 (of 4) CVR B Ethan Peacock (Diamond Code: OCT08 3825), Kade: Sun of Perdition HC (Diamond Code: OCT08 3827), and the Kade Box Set (OCT08 3828).

 

 

Shipping This Month

October brings a goodie bag full of treats for Arcana faithful with the release of Burn #6 (Diamond Code: AUG08 3740), Minions of Ka OGN (AUG08 3741), and the chilling 64 page Velvet Rope One-shot (Diamond Code: AUG08 3743) featuring work from Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, Dexter Weeks, Bruce Brown, Frank Laperch, Ash Jackson, and many more.

 

 

Interview with Koni Waves and Velvet Rope’s Stephen Sistilli

This month, Arcana’s VP of Operations, Mark Poulton, interviews Koni Waves artist and co-creator, Stephen Sistilli.

MP: Steve, can you give us some of your art background, where you went to school, how you got started, past jobs, etc.?

SS: I had no formal training although I took art classes in college at SUNY Binghamton. My father however, is an artist and he guided me and encouraged me as I grew up. I’ve been doing graphic arts for advertising including marker comps, illustration and storyboards for over 25 years.

MP: Were you a comic book fan growing up? If so, what were some of your favorites?

SS: I liked and collected a variety of stuff. The DC war titles, Classic Illustrated, Gold Key - Dell TV/movie tie-ins, Mad magazine and humor titles like Jerry Lewis, and superheroes like the Metal Men and Spider-Man. I was a huge fan of the Warren titles (Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella).

MP: Was drawing comic books something you always wanted to do?

SS: Every kid who liked art and drew in the margins of their school notebooks had teh desire to draw comics. I was no different.

MP: Who are some of your artistic influences?

SS: Comic art influences are Al Williamson, Neal Adams, John Romita Sr, Jim Holdaway, and Jose Gonzalez. Illustration influences are Bob McGinnis, Frank McCarthy, Enrich, Howard Terpning, and George Wilson.

MP: You’re penciling a short story for the upcoming Velvet Rope anthology called Daddy’s Little Girl? What can you tell us about DLG?

SS: Daddy’s Little Girl is about a character with a secret occupation. Those double-life stories have always fascinated me. The “girl” is Bryn Tilton, who is a rich party girl who plays with her family fortune in the nightclubs and VIP rooms in Atlantic City. Unknown to most however, she’s also the gatekeeper of a secret morgue of monsters, trying to determine the fate and whereabouts of her real biological father while dealing with the forces of the netherworld as tehy intermingle with the unrealities of the seaside gambling mecca. Everything that happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas, but nothing is what it seems in AC!

MP: Koni Waves, Velvet Rope, and now Daddy’s Little Girl. You have a knack for drawing beautiful women. When designing these characters how do you go about coming up with their looks?

SS: I let stories and personalities determine their look. I run the gamut from the sexy/boozy type like Koni to the perky tanned blonde of Bryn to the hot/dead (not an oxymoron; I see it on the streets all the time!) look of miss Velvet, the living-challenged main usher of the Velvet Rope anthology.

For more information on Stephen Sistilli and a gallery of his work, please visit his websites at: www.roughsketchstudio.com and www.koniwaves.com.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH LAUGHTER, ARCHIE COMICS STYLE!

Wow!  2008 was some year!  It will go down in history as the year Archie Comics pulled out all the stops with one intriguing storyline after another.  From Alex Simmons’ thrilling mysteries in the pages of ARCHIE & FRIENDS, to Jughead’s and Moose & Midge’s forays into the “realistic style” in JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST and PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST respectively, to the readers voting for Cheryl’s new boyfriend in BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST, and more… Archie readers were served a smorgasbord of stories that played up the classic personalities and relationships of everyone’s favorite comic book teens!

Well, you don’t think the year 2009 is about to let itself be outdone, do you?  No?  Didn’t think so!  Archie Comics certainly is NOT resting on its laurels in 2009.  Instead, we’re rolling right into the New Year with an exciting slate of stories sure to tickle the funny bone and give you goose bumps from suspense!  Consider these stories our New Year’s Resolution, and our way of giving you, our readers, our very best wishes for 2009!

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #127

THE SECOND PART OF A FUN-FILLED, FOUR-PART TALE FROM FAN-FAVORITE ALEX SIMMONS!   

“The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton, Part Two”: Continuing this special storyline, Chuck Clayton takes center stage.  Feeling overwhelmed by all the commitments in his life, Chuck could sure use some help teaching his cartooning class… and he’s about to get it from an unlikely source!  Chuck’s world of collecting, drawing, and teaching kids how to make their own comics takes on new meaning in this poignant tale.  This new multi-part epic comes courtesy of someone who knows his way around both creating and teaching comics, namely acclaimed writer, children’s art advocate, and organizer of the world’s only “Kids’ Comics” convention, Alex Simmons. 

SCRIPT: Alex Simmons

ART: Fernando Ruiz

Shipping Date: January 7^th, 2009

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 14^th, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: January 27^th, 2009

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

ARCHIE DIGEST #251

“A Time to Reflect”: The gang meets Dilton’s inventor uncle – and are soon whisked away on a journey to the future in his time machine!  This literally “timely” tale is packed with both laughs and introspection as Archie and his friends explore the fragile nature of the Earth’s environment and effects of global warming. 

SCRIPT: George Gladir

ART: Stan Goldberg

“Job Fair Flair”: Obsessed with his new handheld video game, Archie forgets to bring his resume, references, and a proper wardrobe to the Job Fair.  Will he be fired before he’s even hired? 

SCRIPT: George Gladir

ART: Jeff Shultz

PLUS: Other new and classic tales! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. 

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!    

Shipping Date: January 28^th, 2009

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: February 4^th, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: February 17^th, 2009

88-page, full color digest

$2.49 US.

BETTY #178

A SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY ISSUE! 

“My One & Only Valentine”: Betty makes homemade Valentine’s Day cards for Archie and Reggie, one declaring love and the other friendship… but will the cards reach the correct recipients?  It’s a comedy of romantic errors as only Archie Comics could deliver it! 

SPECIAL BONUS: Betty shows her readers how to make homemade Valentines of their own! 

SCRIPT: Barbara Slate

ART: Stan Goldberg

Shipping Date: January 28^th, 2009

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: February 4^th, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: February 17^th, 2009

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

  

 

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #128

THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE “NEW LOOK” STORY, “BREAKUP BLUES”

THE INTRIGUING TALE WHERE MIDGE & MOOSE’S ROMANCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE! 

“Breakup Blues, Part 4”: For the past three issues, Archie and his friends have been dealing with the unimaginable: the breakup of Midge and Moose!  In the aftermath, Midge started seeing Reggie and Moose began dating Judy Johnson.  The status quo of Riverdale High’s circle of friends was severely shaken, but that didn’t stop the former couple’s friends from doing what they could to get the pair back together.  Their efforts weren’t always successful, but they still haven’t given up hope.  The fourth and final installment brings everything together as the kids convene at an exclusive dance club to boogie the night away… and hopefully bring Moose and Midge back together once and for all!  And they’re about to get some help from an unlikely source.  Will true love persevere and save the day?  Be sure to reserve your copy so you can find out!  The romantic intrigue is served up in the “realistic” art style that made both Betty and Veronica’s “Bad Boy Trouble” and Jughead’s “Matchmakers” some of the most talked-about Archie stories in recent years!  Veteran penciller Tod Smith and journeyman inker Al Milgrom carry on that popular style in what has surely been the most explosive Archie Comics story to date! 

SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan

PENCILS: Tod Smith

INKS :Al Milgrom

PLUS: Other new and classic tales! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Shipping Date: January 14^th, 2009

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 21^st, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: February 3^rd, 2009

176-page, full color digest

$3.69 US.

NOT seen a copy myself yet but with Jon Haward and the uber [or “oober”] cool Frank Quitely providing artwork can you afford to miss it?

Go on -you know you want to!

ARCHIE AMERICANA SERIES: BEST OF THE NINETIES

The 9th edition in our popular line of classic Archie graphic novel collections!  By popular demand, we’re serving up a heaping helping of the decade that led up to the Millennium, one of the most interesting and hilarious decades ever for America ’s favorite comic book teens: the 1990s.  Rock out to the sensational sounds of boy bands, grunge and alternative music; chow down with the fat free dessert craze; laugh your head off at silly talk radio, and hook up your satellite dish so you can enjoy purple dinosaurs, funny home videos, teens from Beverly Hills and more!  It’s all here and then some in this uproarious edition chock full of comedy classics!  Carrying on the tradition of the other Americana entries, this edition features a fully-painted cover by fan-favorite Rex Lindsey, and each story is meticulously restored and re-colored to match its original brilliance. 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various. 

Shipping Date: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 11^th, 2008

96-page, full color graphic novel

$11.95 US.

ARCHIE #590

THE THRILLING “FRESHMAN YEAR SAGA” CONTINUES! 

The first year of high school has been an eventful one for Archie and his friends, and it’s all leading towards a whirlwind finale!  But the teens still have some time to go yet.  In this latest installment, they are evaluated by their teachers who report their progress to their folks on “parent-teacher” night.  How will they fare once their parents learn how they’re doing?  Meanwhile, in social life, love triangles abound, and so do pranks – some playful, some nasty.  But none nastier than the bikers who have been bedeviling the town.  All this, plus a surprise or two!  It’s the greatest “first year” of high school ever, courtesy of fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of “Wolff & Byrd” and “Archie Meets the Punisher” fame, along with “Scrapyard Detectives” creator and popular Archie artist/writer Bill Galvan. 

SCRIPT: Batton Lash. 

ART: Bill Galvan.         

Shipping Date: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 11^th, 2008

32-recycled page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #193

“To Play or Not to Play”: Feeling the stress of studies, extracurricular activities and college applications, the gang decides to put the Archies on hiatus – until Jughead convinces his band mates to appear in a high school musical he’s written about a teen rock band stressed out by their studies, extracurricular activities and college applications! 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Fernando Ruiz. 

 “Toy Story”: A short time ago, in a town called Riverdale not too far away… Jughead has dragged Archie to a toy store at midnight so he can be among the first to purchase the new “Star Lores” action figures! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Bill Galvan. 

 “Pre-Exam Insurance”: Archie’s convinced that petting Betty’s cat Carmel is good luck before an exam… but the only thing between Archie and a passing grade is the tree Carmel’s stuck in! 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Henry Scarpelli. 

PLUS: Other new and classic tales! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. 

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!   

Shipping Date: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 11^th, 2008

176-page, full color digest

$3.69 US.

…WHO SWEARS HE’S COMPETENT.

Okay,Forbidden Planet [Bristol] sucks. Every week since May this year I’ve gone in to pick up my standing order -which I’ve had since 1995- and have had issues missing,excuses given and re-set up my standing order.  Then the next week..the same.  Week after? The same.  After 5 months [FIVE MONTHS] you think the situation might sort itself out?

No.  I’ve just given up trying now.  I’ve lost so many issues to limited series or ongoing series that I’ve given up on them.  This week,some of my order and the rest I took off the shelves myself.  I’ve been getting NOBLE CAUSES since #1 but now another issue is gone.  This week’s issue.  Apparently,like every other title FP forget [or really just can’t be bothered with],”we can’t re-order”.  You cannot,as part of a big chain store get a copy of THIS WEEK’S issue?!?

I will not write what I thought.

Well,Image can’t be bothered helping out so they’ve now been excluded from coverage -in case you wonder I sent an email to Image publisher,Eric Stephenson since Joe Kealey was not responding. How seriously did they treat my emails? Nothing.  Well,more Press Releases.

So,no Image Comics for me to review -no review. No Arcana Comics to review -no review.

A god awful comic shop -I’m going to have to look elsewhere outside Bristol.

After 30 years as a loyal Forbidden Planet customer I am **** off.  What management.  what staff.

This item from Joe Gordon at the Forbidden Planet International Blog:

“We’re doing a mention for the marketing folks who are promoting the DVD and Blu-Ray of Wanted as a favour – they have arranged a video chat with Mark Millar for this coming Monday (27th) between 1 and 2pm, with a chance for readers to go to the website over the weekend and put in their very own questions to ask Mark come the Monday. Links and details are all on the FP blog:

 

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=9908. “

 

 

In case you are still wondering about the Archie characters being used by DC very soon,starting in Brave And The Bold,well everything you need to know about the characters [hey,you’ll know more than JMS!] you can find at the great Mighty Crusaders Handbook:

http://www.mightycrusaders.net/handbook/bobphantom.htm

Then again,JMS will probably “reinvent” [read “screw-up”] the characters though luckily he cannot touch the Fly or Private Strong:The Shield as they are [c]Joe Simon!

 

 

The Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 Charity Auction Is On!

 

The Mid-Ohio-Con Charity Auction Features 35 Lots with Original Art and Other Great Items

 

Save The Date For Next Year’s Mid-Ohio-Con on the Weekend of October 3-4, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio

 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

 

The Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 Charity Auction is now live on eBay. The auction features original art drawn by many of our guests at Mid-Ohio-Con 2008, as well as a number of other special contributions. All proceeds from the Mid-Ohio-2008 charity auction will be donated to The Hero Initiative and The Make-A-Wish Foundation. Click here to visit our all listings on eBay or on any of the links below to see an individual item.

 

Picture	Lot Description
	Joe Kubert Sgt. Rock Sketch (18″ x 24″)
	Dora the Explorer Sketch by Dave Aikins (24″ x 19″)
	The Sandman Dream Sketch by Andy Bennett (18″ x 24″)
	Golden Age Sandman Sketch by Andy Bennett (18″ x 24″)
	Uncle Scrooge Money Bin Sketch by Pat Block (18″ x 24″)
	DC-Marvel Heroes Sketch by Chris Eliopoulos (18″ x 24″)
	X-Men Storm Original Sketch by Bob McLeod (11″ x 14″)
	Captain America Sketch by Keith Pollard (11″ x 14″)
	Swamp Thing Original Sketch by Nate Pride (11″ x 14″)
	Mouse Guard Black Axe by David Petersen (18″ x 24″)
	Tom Strong Sketch by Chris Sprousse (18″ x 24″)
	Wolverine Vs. Hulk Sketch by Billy Tan (18″ x 24″)
	Love & Capes Amazonia Sketch by Thom Zahler (18″ x 24″)
	Black Cat Original Drawing by Uko Smith (14″ x 17″)
	Zombie Sketch by Dave Aikins (24″ x 19″)
	Original Self-Portrait by Ren McKinzie (14″ x 17″)
	Incredible Hulk Sketch by Michael K. Easton (14″ x 17″)
	Kabuki- Scarab No. 3 Page 16 by David Mack & Rick Mays
	Secret Invasion No. 5 Page 9 Original Art by Leinil Yu
	New Avengers No. 28 Page 4 Original Art by Leinil Yu
	Layne Toth Mork v. Fonzie Print Signed by Henry Winkler
	Layne Toth Odee-X & Twiki Print Signed by Felix Silla
	Buck Rogers Print Signed by Gil Gerard & Erin Gray
	Captain America- Fallen Son Sketch Cover by Layne Toth
	Levi Krause’s Scribble Monster Pin-Up Book by Peri Toth
	Custom Slipcase Edition of Fantastic Four Omnibus 2
	Maps & Legends (2008) Autographed by Michael Chabon
	Doug Jones Abe Sapien (Hellboy) Autographed Photo
	Doug Jones Silver Surfer (FF 2) Autographed Photo
	Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob) Autographed Photo
	Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk Autographed Photo
	Daredevil Original Art Sketch by Gene Colan (2008)
	Dracula Original Art Sketch by Gene Colan (2008)
	Iron Man Original Art Sketch by Gene Colan (2008)
	Custom Bound Volume of Cerebus 1-300 Covers

 

Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 was held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH on the weekend of October 4-5 and featured a who’s who of creators from the worlds of comics, film, literature, and television, including guests of honor Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Alan Dean Foster and Joe Kubert as well as special media guests Lou Ferrigno and Jason Mewes, and many many more.

 

Mid-Ohio-Con 2009 will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH on the weekend of October 3-4. Save the date for next year’s great event and make sure to visit the Mid-Ohio-Con web site at www.midohiocon.com and The Mighty Mighty MOC-BLOG at www.midohiocon.blogspot.com for regular updates.

 

About Mid-Ohio-Con

Now entering 29th year, Mid-Ohio-Con is one of America’s longest-running and most successful pop culture conventions. Each year, Mid-Ohio-Con brings fans of all ages together with leading comic book writers and artists, film and television creators and stars, as well as publishers and retailers from across the nation.