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Hope you’ve all been keeping up with Blair Butler’s G4 reviews each week? The link is:

http://www.g4tv.com/thepile/videos/29429/Fresh_Ink_Online_Atomic_Robo_Hoxford_and_Rogues_Revenge_.html

Love the out-takes at the end recently. The latest -ahh,go check it out yourself!

Olivier Cadic tells me that he’s currently very busy at the Frankfurt Book Show.  Hopefully,Cinebook success will continue there;at the recent Birmingham convention they were selling a Cinebook title every three minutes -over two days!

I think that proves the point I made about there being need for a new British company taking advantage of all the comic buyers out there!

But even better news for Olivier:he was just given a literature award at a French Book Festival for his Queen Margot books.  This is the first time the award has been given to a graphic novel.

Congratulations to Olivier -a man working like a human dynamo to make Cinebook -The 9th Art become a huge success.  If there were people working in Egmont or Thomson like Olivier we’d have a thriving comic line.

BETTY & VERONICA #238

“My Parrot is Gone”: Veronica decides to train a parrot to do tricks so they can audition for the “People & Their Pets” TV competition… but it seems the parrot’s best trick is a disappearing act!  Can Betty, in her guise of “Nancy Clue, Girl Detective”, track down the “fowl felon” who perpetrated the parrot purloining?! 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Jeff Shultz. 

“Red Carpet Ready”: The N-TV awards are the hottest ticket in town, so naturally the girls need to be at their stylish best when they attend the show! 

SCRIPT: Barbara and Samantha Slate. 

ART: Jeff Shultz. 

“In on the Game?”: Three cheers for girly-girls – in Veronica’s world, all a cheerleader really needs to do is physically show up! 

SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. 

ART: Jeff Shultz.

Shipping Date: October 15^th, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 4^th, 2008

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

 

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #165

THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE CHERYL BLOSSOM’S NEW BOYFRIEND – AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF ARCHIE COMICS – WILL FINALLY BE REVEALED! 

“And the Winner Is… Part 5 of 5”: Well, the election results are in and the United States is about to have its first… oh wait, that’s that other election!  This election is the one where you the readers pick Cheryl Blossom’s new boyfriend… and the results are in!  Four issues ago, Reggie and Cheryl broke up, and Cheryl wound up on the TV show “The Lonely Hearts Club” in search of a new beau.  Three hot contestants stepped up for the challenge, and you the reader witnessed each of their dates with Cheryl and placed your votes for who you thought Cheryl should choose online at www.archiecomics.com!  This issue, the new man in Cheryl’s life is finally revealed… but not before the host of the show treats all the participants to a wacky recap of clips featuring all their foul-ups and blunders!  Where will this latest shake-up in the Archie-verse lead?  It’s the craziest, kookiest conclusion that you simply can’t miss! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent. 

“The Pledge”: Betty and Veronica vow to go through an entire day without thinking about, mentioning, or talking to Archie… yep, that’ll work!  

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Pat Kennedy. 

“Movie Magic”: In a modern-day twist on the classic 1940’s story “Double Trouble,” Archie once again finds himself entangled in the eternal love triangle while trying to enjoy a night at the movies! 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Pat Kennedy. 

PLUS: Other new and classic tales! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. 

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Shipping Date: October 15^th, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 4^th, 2008

176-page, full color digest

$3.69 US.

 

SONIC X #38

“Big Trouble in Little Station Square , Part One”:  S.O.N.I.C.X. – the secret Sonic-hating organization – is at it again!  They have a special serum that will turn Sonic into the monster they think he “really is.”  The problem now is: how do you catch the fastest thing alive?!  It’s a high-speed chase through the city with a special guest appearance by the Chaotix and an ending so big you won’t believe it! 

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn. 

ART: Steven Butler (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks). 

Monster mayhem cover by spooky Pat “Spaz” Spazinate!

Shipping Date: October 15^th, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22^nd, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: November 4^th, 2008

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

 

THIS JANUARY, JUGHEAD OFFERS READERS A CHANCE TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME IN A TRUE “WHAT IF” TALE!

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What would have happened if I’d only done this differently?”  Or, “This could have gone in a totally different direction if only I had said…”

Well, here’s your chance to put that “what if” concept into action by choosing the direction of the lead story in January’s JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #31!

That’s right: “Banana Split Decision” is decided by you, the reader!  Jughead simply doesn’t want to pay up on the empty promise he made to Ethel to take her out on a date. 

That’s where you come in.  As you read the story, you can alternate between pages depicting two separate directions: one where Jughead ducks into Dilton’s laboratory to avoid Ethel; the other where Jughead toughs it out and actually goes on the date with Ethel!  Each choice leads to another and another… and is of course packed with laughs and adventure!  Best of all, you can read the story more than once and not come up with the same story twice!  How’s that for double the fun?!?

Here’s the easiest “decision” you ever had to make: be sure to reserve your copy today!

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #31

SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz. 

Shipping Date: January 14th, 2009

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

On Sale on Newsstands: February 3rd, 2009

88-page, full color digest

$2.49 US.

Ian Wheeler talks to Jeff Brooks,publisher of the new Classics Illustrated series at Down The Tubes -no mention of awfully ‘restored’ War Of The Worlds being awful,though.  Hopefully,in future they’ll keep more to the style of colouring the originals had -Snow White being a good example of nice colouring.

http://www.downthet ubes.net/ features/ interviews/ editors/jeff_ brooks_081008. html

ARCHIE DIGEST #248

DECK THE HALLS WITH LOTS OF LAUGHTER IN THIS ALL-CHRISTMAS-THEMED ISSUE! 

“The Surprise Present”: When an enterprising elf conceives a website where Christmas lists can be automatically submitted, Santa decides to do a trial run in a little town called Riverdale. 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 

ART: Jeff Shultz. 

“Santa Claws”: Not a creature was stirring – except for all the pets that came to the department store to get their photos taken with Santa Archie! 

SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.

ART: Pat Kennedy. 

“Price Clubbed”: Nothing can stop Fred Andrews’ quest to find the perfect… and perfectly priced… Christmas tree! 

SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. 

ART:  Randy Elliott. 

“The Gift Horse Laugh”: In this poignant Christmas tale, Riverdale’s resident prankster Reggie proves he’s not a Scrooge, but has a generous heart after all! 

SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. 

ART: Pat Kennedy. 

PLUS: Classic yuletide tales! 

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. 

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Shipping Date: October 8^th, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 15^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: October 28^th, 2008

88-page, full color digest

$2.49 US.

above:Lorenzo Sperlonga and Nicole Damon

 I think that,about a year ago[?] I noted that CBOs favourite Texan fantasy model and belly dancer,Nicole Damon,had been painted by none other than Greg Hildebrandt.  So,in case you missed that item,below are two of the Hildebrandt pieces -love the riveteer piece.

And then there is Berin Uriegas’s ooh so spooky piece:

 So,why mention the wonderful Nicole here -again? Well,Nicole has made it into the list of Top 10 Fantasy Art Models.  Here’s the piece from AskMen.com:

No.7 - Nicole Damon

Nicole Damon has posed for two of the industry’s biggest heavy hitters — Lorenzo Sperlonga and Dorian Cleavenger. She has also worked with the husband and wife team of Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, so she knows how to move around in important circles. Unfortunately, Damon is one of the leaders in internet exclusivity — the only way to get a peek at this blonde Texan beauty without being met by an imposing “forbidden” message is through her MySpace page and in some of Cleavenger’s work at www.DorianArt.com.

My comment would be:”ONLY number 7?!”

I think Nicole’s “exclusivity” is a great thing.  After all,this is a very exclusive lady!

2009 should see Nicole at No.1!

JUGHEAD’S “NEW LOOK” EPIC “THE MATCHMAKERS” IS NOW AVAILABLE IN ONE CONVENIENT COLLECTION!

Back in the spring of 2007, the world of Archie Comics was rocked by the publication of BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #151, featuring the first installment of “Bad Boy Trouble,” an epic tale spanning four issues that found Riverdale’s favorite teens rendered in a realistic style! 

The “new look” inspired months and months of debate and media coverage… and was so intriguing to fans that it led to further “new look” sagas.  The most recent is the “Breakup Blues” saga currently concluding in the pages of PALS-N-GALS DIGEST… but in between, the crowned one got a taste of reality, too!

That’s right: not only did Jughead get a “realistic makeover,” but the intriguing tale he starred in led to a bit of a personality makeover as well.  It all started when Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica agreed that Jughead needed a break from his “fifth wheel” status.  They hatched a scheme to find a girl who would interest Jughead more than food and sleep… never realizing they would actually succeed!  Or did they? 

Comic book legends Joe Staton and Al Milgrom brought their years of experience to the Archie “new look,” handling pencils and inks respectively, giving this story an extra-special touch.  

Now, all four installments of this heralded tale from JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #139 through #142 are available in one convenient, affordable edition.  The special 6 x 9 inch format contains 112 full-color, thrill-packed pages, with a low cover price of only $9.95 US!  Whether reading it again or discovering it for the first time, don’t miss the most talked about Jughead story of 2008! 

ARCHIE NEW LOOK SERIES VOLUME 2: JUGHEAD

“THE MATCHMAKERS”

SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.  ART: Joe Staton. 

Shipping Date: January 14^th, 2009

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

On Sale on Newsstands: February 3^rd, 2009

112-page, full color 6”x9” square bound paperback

ISBN #: 978-1-879794-38-2

OLD # 1-879794-38-1

$9.95 US.

PRESS RELEASE - ROBERT KIRKMAN GUARANTEES: ON-TIME IN ‘09!

All Robert Kirkman penned titles now featuring guaranteed ship dates!

 

2 October 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Starting this January, Robert Kirkman gives his books the one thing fans have demanded for years - guaranteed ship dates!

 

“That’s right, kids, this time it’s for real,” said Kirkman. “Every single one of my titles - WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN and BRIT - will now be guaranteed to ship by their solicited date. This isn’t an empty promise and I’ve taken that extra step of hiring Aubrey Sitterson, an editor for my entire line, a guy you may know from his days at Marvel.”

 

Aubrey Sitterson, who first worked with Kirkman on titles such as THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN and MARVEL TEAM-UP, has been quietly working with Kirkman for the last several months, ensuring the upcoming resolicited books hit their target date. 

 

Sitterson said, “I spent years wrangling Robert at the House of Ideas. Now, I’m champing at the bit to crack the whip and mix whatever metaphors necessary to get every last one of his books out on time - no exceptions and no excuses!”

 

The guaranteed ship dates will begin this January, with ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #12, BRIT #12, INVINCIBLE #58 and THE WALKING DEAD #57.

PRESS RELEASE - SILVERLINE MISSES THE BOAT THIS DECEMBER!

All-ages graphic novel reveals the final fate of the forgotten Churamane!

 

1 October 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Shadowline’s all-ages Silverline book imprint expands this December with the story of the one species too lazy to get on Noah’s Arc, MISSING THE BOAT.

 

“MISSING THE BOAT is a project I knew we had to publish based off the concept alone,” said Silverline Publisher Jim Valentino. “The idea of a species so lazy they doomed themselves to extinction really caught me, but Justin Shady’s [aka Wayne Chinsang] story combined with Dwellephant’s innovative art style really brought the whole thing together.” 

 

MISSING THE BOAT solves the riddle of what happened to the Churamane, a particularly lazy and not too terribly bright species that lived a long time ago and vanished without a trace. Intelligently written with wonderfully vibrant art, this story will delight adults as well as children and, if you’re not looking, may even teach a lesson or two.

 

MISSING THE BOAT (OCT082310), a 96-page hardcover graphic novel for $18.99, will be released December 17th, 2008. For more information, please see www.shadowlinecomics.com/silverline.