If the following announcements from Dynamite Entertainment are any indication, they’re likely to have some huge news come San Diego Comic-Con. Check out the latest news below including upcoming titles including Casino Royale, John Wick and Grumpy Cat/Garfield!
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES LATEST TITLE IN THEIR VIDEO GAME ICONS LINE, UNDISPUTED STREET FIGHTER: THE ART AND INNOVATION BEHIND THE GAME-CHANGING SERIES
Writer Steve Hendershot and Editor Tim Lapetino Announced as Creative Team
Behind the Artbook 30 Years in the Making!
Writer Steve Hendershot and Editor Tim Lapetino (Art of Atari) have been announced as the creative team behind Dynamite Entertainment’s latest offering in their Video Game Icons line, Undisputed Street Fighter: The Art and Innovation Behind the Game-Changing Series. The 304-page stunning hardcover artbook, now 30 years in the making, is set for release this November, just in time for the holiday season!
Since its inception 30 years ago, the Street Fighter video game series from Capcom has thrived based on a lethal combination of innovation, style and technique. From first-of-their-kind advances such as selectable characters and secret combo moves, to imagination-capturing characters such as Ryu, Chun-Li, and Akuma, Street Fighter has stayed a step ahead of the competition en route to becoming one of the most enduring and influential franchises in video game history. Undisputed Street Fighter™ features in-depth interviews and exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks into the making of the Street Fighter games, and the iconic art, design, and imagery from across the Street Fighter universe.
Writer Steve Hendershot says, “Street Fighter is a running, 30-year conversation between the series’ creators, players and fans. Its genius–the magic of shoulder-to-shoulder arcade play, and the playful, vivid style of its characters-stems from that back-and-forth. It’s been so much fun to hear all sides of that conversation from Tokyo and Osaka to San Francisco and Chicago, and I’m excited to tell the story through this book.”
Steve Hendershot is an award-winning Chicago journalist and the editorial director of MOVA, the Museum of Video Game Art. He is co-host and producer of the arts-and-culture podcast Cedar Cathedral, and has written for dozens of publications including Crain’s Chicago Business, SportsIllustrated.com, NBCSports.com, Chicago Magazine, Booth Newspapers, and Chicago Tribune.
Editor Tim Lapetino says, “It’s been an excellent adventure delving so deeply into the labyrinth of characters and people who make up Street Fighter Nation. We’ve drawn from 30 years of the best art and stories the franchise has to offer, and Steve has brought his fresh take to all things Street Fighter with a ton of new interviews and insights. The book is a love letter to those who grew up with Street Fighter and also to everyone carrying it into the future.”
Tim Lapetino is the Series Editor for Dynamite’s exclusive line of books, Video Game Icons. In a series that began with the best-selling Art of Atari, Video Game Icons will delve deeply into some of the most influential and popular video game franchises in the world. Lapetino is also the author of Dynamite’s Art of Atari (as well as unannounced projects slated for 2018), as well as the Executive Director of MOVA, the Museum of Video Game Art.
Rich Young, Director of Business Development at Dynamite, says, “I still remember watching battle after battle at the local arcade on the Street Fighter II machine, amazed not only by how awesome these characters were, and how great the game looked and played, but also how good the players were, and the amount of effort they put into winning each match. Street Fighter helped pave the way for the fighting game genre… and it’s still going very strong today. I’m thrilled to be working with Capcom on this book, and the same amazing team that put together Art of Atari!”
Undisputed Street Fighter (ISBN 978-1-5241-0466-5) will be available at major bookstore chains, online booksellers, and independent bookstores courtesy of Diamond Book Distributors, and to consumers through the comic book specialty market. Undisputed Street Fighter will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in November.
DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR THE LIBRARIANS, BASED ON THE HIT TNT ADVENTURE SERIES!
Dynamite Signs Will Pfeifer and Rodney Buchemi to Bring the Hit TNT Adventure to Comics!
Writer Will Pfeifer (Aquaman, Hellboy), and artist Rodney Buchemi (Uncanny X-Men) have been confirmed as the creative team to bring the magical and mysterious world of the hit TNT television series The Librarians to the pages of comics! Set to launch September 13th, fans of the record-breaking show will be excited to see their favorite characters tackling all new adventures as they wait for the premiere of season four!
Way back in the swinging ‘70s, movie producer Sol Schick was the guy behind such cheesy classics as “Quarry: Bigfoot!,” Noah’s Ark: Found at Last!” and “Heavenly Visitors from the Hell Above.” But when he’s murdered – at a film festival! – with a piece of Noah’s Ark! – The Librarians are drawn into the mystery. Can their combination of special skills, obsessive curiosity, and knowledge of forgotten lore figure out who – or what – spelled doom for Schick? And as they delve deeper into his past, is it possible that things are not as they seem and that all his crazy, wild movies…were actually telling the truth?
Writer Will Pfeifer says, “The thing that really attracted me to The Librarians as a concept is that they’re not just another group out to save the world. I mean, sure, they end up saving the world and seeing that mankind lives to see another day and all that, but their real focus is knowledge – getting it, keeping it and seeing that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. In this day and age, a group of smart folks trying to get smarter is the sort of role model we need, and the fact that this knowledge always seems to be of the forbidden, arcane variety is what keeps things interesting. I had a great time coming up with some bizarre mysteries for them to uncover, and the combination of curiosity, humor and good ol’ adventure made writing the series a real pleasure!”
Will Pfeifer made his comic book debut in 1999 with the creator-owned Vertigo series Finals. Since then, his credits have included Catwoman, Teen Titans, Aquaman, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Hellboy, H.E.R.O, X-Men Unlimited, The Spirit, Captain Atom, Iron Man, Supergirl, Blue Beetle and Amazons Attack. He’s also the author of the science fiction graphic novel “The Advance Team” and the writer and artist of “Late Nights at Kinkos,” a collection of his small-press work.
“The Dynamite team counts ourselves as huge fans of television series, never missing an episode,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “When the opportunity arose to bring the fantastical adventures to the pages of comics, we knew we would have a hit on our hands! By bringing on the incredible talents of Will Pfeifer and Rodney Buchemi, we only solidified that success!”
The Librarians, which launched in 2014, is based on a series of successful TV movie franchise originally airing in 2004 starring starred Noah Wyle, who both executive produces and has guest starred on the now hit television series. The show focuses on an ancient organization tasked with protecting an unknowing world from the secret, magical reality hidden in plan sight. The TNT television debut was the most watched cable series launch of 2014 with a combined audience of 7.3 million viewers, and was recently renewed for its fourth season!
The Librarians #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.
DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC ADAPTATION OF IAN FLEMING’S FIRST NOVEL AND JAMES BOND STORY, CASINO ROYALE
Van Jensen and Dennis Calero Will Bring the First 007 Tale to the Pages of Comics for the First Time this October!
Award-winning writer Van Jansen (The Flash/Green Lantern), and artist Dennis Calero (X-Factor) have been selected as the creative team to bring the very first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, to the pages of comics for the first time in the series’ history. Set for release in October, the 160-page graphic novel will transport 007 fans back to the 1950’s with its stylish artwork and classic story!
Ian Fleming’s literary debut of British Secret Service agent 007 is stylishly adapted to the sequential art medium by Van Jensen and Dennis Calero in the official James Bond: Casino Royale graphic novel. Sent to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux, Bond aims to eliminate the threat of the deadly Le Chiffre by bankrupting the ruthless SMERSH operative at the baccarat table. However, when the luck of the draw favors his enemy, 007 becomes the target of assassins and torturers in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.
Writer Van Jansen says, “There’s a very obvious reason why I wanted to tackle the adaptation of Casino Royale: because it’s James damned Bond! Also, when I cracked open Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel (I had read it years before), it immediately appealed to me as a great creative challenge. Fleming’s prose is powered by his descriptive punch, an eye for detail that captures the post World War II time period in full color, from decadent meals to the intricacies of baccarat to the sinister machinations of Le Chiffre. It’s a heady book, diving deep into the character of Bond. Adapting it into comic book form meant creating some fun new approaches to storytelling, to recast a familiar tale as something that hasn’t been seen before. Also, it’s James damned Bond!”
A former crime reporter and magazine editor, Van Jensen is the author of the critically acclaimed graphic novels Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and The Leg. He has also written such series as Green Lantern Corps, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Flash.
“When we first announced Warren Ellis’ breakout original James Bond series, we teased that this would only be the beginning of our relationship with the character and the Fleming family, who have been very generous,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “It’s incredibly rewarding as it’s the treasured story that any publisher would wish to add to their library. We have been very fortunate to be granted the rights to do so. Combining Van Jensen’s storytelling talent with Dennis Calero’s stylistic artwork, the Casino Royale graphic novel will stand out to fans for years to come.”
In 2014, Dynamite Entertainment made headlines across the comics industry and beyond with the news that the New Jersey publisher had secured the license from Ian Fleming Publications Ltd to produce the first James Bond comics in 20 years. The first series, written by Transmetropolitan writer Warren Ellis, launched the following year to widespread critical acclaim, and was a breakout success in the comics specialty market. Subsequent James Bond story lines include Diggle and Casalanguida’s Hammerhead and Kill Chain, James Robinson and Aaron Campbell’s Felix Leiter, Benjamin Percy and Rapha Lobosco’s Black Box, and Kieron Gillen and Antonio Fuso’s Service Special.
James Bond: Casino Royale will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in October.
DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC BOOK SERIES BASED ON THE HIT LIONSGATE FILM FRANCHISE, JOHN WICK
Dynamite Signs Greg Pak of Planet Hulk and Weapon X Fame, Bringing The Hit Film Assassin to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever!
Award-winning writer Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Code Monkey Save World), and artist Giovanni Valletta (Dark Horse Presents) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-film franchise John Wick to the pages of comics, thanks to a new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Lionsgate Films. Slated to launch on September 6th, the new series will offer fans of the massively popular character the opportunity to discover his thrilling origin story for the very first time!
When a young John Wick emerges from prison and embarks upon his first epic vendetta, he comes up against a strange, powerful community of assassins and must learn how to master the Book of Rules that guides their lethal business. What are the Three Bills? Who is Calamity? And who was John Wick before he became the Baba Yaga?
Writer Greg Pak says, “I was on board pretty much as soon as I got the call and heard ‘John Wick.’ I’m a huge Keanu Reeves fan and loved the John Wick movies, which had the kind of kinetic action and intriguing mythology that seemed like a perfect fit for comics. I’m also always happy to work with my friends at Dynamite, who are always a pleasure to make comics with. And the art I saw from Giovanni Valletta blew my mind — he’s totally nailing Keanu Reeves’ likeness while creating emotional, dynamic, exciting action. This book is going be BEAUTIFUL. But what really sealed the deal was when Dynamite Editor Anthony Marques said we had the greenlight to tell a John Wick origin story. That was astounding to me — we’re not just telling another fun adventure with the character; we’re actually going to be able to add to this character’s and world’s tremendous mythology by telling an origin story! What could be cooler than that?”
Greg Pak is a Korean-American filmmaker and comic book writer best known for his award-winning feature film Robot Stories, his blockbuster comic book series like Planet Hulk and World War Hulk, and his record-breaking Kickstarter publishing projects with Jonathan Coulton, including Code Monkey Save World, Kickstarter’s highest grossing original graphic novel of all time. Pak’s recent comics projects include the creator-owned series Kingsway West, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape from New York, and The Totally Awesome Hulk and Weapon X for Marvel. Pak’s feature film Robot Stories played in 75 festivals, won 35 awards, screened theatrically across the country, and is now available on DVD from Kino. Pak’s feature screenplay Rio Chino won the Pipedream Screenwriting Award at the IFP Market and a Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship. Pak also wrote the screenplay for the feature film MVP, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
Artist Giovanni Valletta says, “When Dynamite Editor Anthony Marques asked me if I would like to do some tryouts for this project, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I loved the John Wick film so much, and have been a fan of Keanu Reeves and his work for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t be happier to have been picked to work on this project, and I hope the love I have for this movie shines through in my work.”
Giovanni Valletta was raised in Caracas, Venezuela and studied Illustration at the Caracas Institute of Design before continuing his studies with Jesus Pastore at the Art Center School of Design. Once Valletta decided to turn his career towards the comic book industry, he attend the Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Art, from which he graduated in 2010. Shortly after graduation, Valletta began working for Tell A Graphics alongside owner Joe Kubert, and became a member of the teaching staff at the Kubert School in 2012. His artwork has been featured by a number of top-tier publishers, and is best known for his work on Dark Horse Presents and Pathfinder: Worldscape.
“John Wick is an incredible character – he and the world he inhabits are mysterious, thrilling, sexy, and contagious,” says Anthony Marques, Editor for Dynamite Entertainment. “The series that we are doing develops that world even further by delving into his official origin story for the first time. We couldn’t have been more fortunate than to have Greg Pak come on board to craft this tale. He has such a great understanding of the characters, their world, and their voices. The artwork Giovanni Valletta is creating is going to leave people breathless. He’s found a way to truly immerse the readers into the world of John Wick in a way that I don’t think any other artist would have been able to. The thrills, speed, and action are all there on the page!
Marques continued, “This whole process has been an amazing ride – almost as thrilling at the films! We’ve received the blessings from all of the creators involved with the films, every step of the way. That includes the writer/creator of John Wick Derek Kolstad, as well as Thunder Road, Lionsgate, and even Keanu Reeves. This book is the real deal and people are not going to be disappointed.”
“I have been a huge fan of the John Wick franchise since it was first released in 2014,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “When I broached the idea in our editorial meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon! The entire Dynamite team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such a great property, and we’re excited to work with the amazing team at Lionsgate Films to make this new hit comic book series happen!”
The action-adventure film franchise John Wick launched in 2014 and follows the titular hero, a deadly hitman, as he seeks vengeance for the death of a loved one. Directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, and written by Derek Kolstad, the critically-acclaimed first installment starred Keanu Reeves and grossed close to $90 million worldwide. Based on the box office success of the first film, the series was greenlit for a sequel, and John Wick 2 opened in February 2017, grossing $165 million worldwide to date. The new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Lionsgate Films marks the first time the series will be published in comic book form.
John Wick will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.
DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC STORIES OF THE HIT VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE, KILLER INSTINCT
Dynamite Signs Ian Edgington of 2000AD. Fame, to Bring the Popular Game to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever
New York Times best-selling author, and multi Eisner-award nominee Ian Edgington (2000AD., Batman), and artist Cam Adams (Fallout World) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-game franchise Killer Instinct to the pages of comics for the first time ever! Thanks to the new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Double Helix Studios, the new series is slated to launch on September 13th, and will provide fans of the game with epic new adventures set within the its stunning game-play universe!
The Shadow Lord Gargos has been defeated, but the battle to save humankind from his Astral invasion has taken a terrible toll on the Earth. Our world lies in ruin, and a sinister new power called the Coven has risen from the ashes, vying with the megacorporation Ultratech to rule the shattered nations. The heroes Kim Wu and Jago-their Astral powers weakened by their devastating war against Gargos-must band together with the scattered remnants of the Night Guard to forge a pathway into the Astral Plane. Here, in the birthplace of The Shadow Lord and The Guardians, festers the secret malevolence that threatens to destroy them all…and enslave the world forever.
Writer Ian Edgington said, “Killer Instinct has a colorful and diverse cast of characters, each with their own rich back-stories and with plenty more tales to tell. The Killer Instinct pantheon effectively comprises a superhero universe and it’s hard not to get overwhelmed with the wealth of riches there is to work with. I’ve taken a dozen or so characters – Kim-Wu, Jago, Aganos, Tusk, Aganos, Kan-ra, etc, and built a story around them that’s self-contained but can spring board into other series if need be. I’ve structured it to appeal to die-hard Killer Instinct fans and those coming to it cold. You won’t need any foreknowledge of the game to enjoy it. Likewise, there will be plenty of nods and easter eggs to the game for Killer Instinct fans. I’ve had a huge amount of fun writing this series. It’s a fantastic world to be permitted to play around in.”
Ian Edgington is a New York Times best-selling author and multiple Eisner Award nominee. He is the writer and creator of Stickleback, Helium, Kingmaker, Leviathan, Brass Sun, and the renowned UK science fiction comic 2000AD. He has written for Judge Dredd, Batman, Wolverine, X-Force, Uncanny X-Men,and Stormwatch, as well as Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Star Trek, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Doctor Who. He also wrote Scarlet Traces and Scarlet Traces: The Great Game, the Eisner Award nominated sequels to HG Wells, The War of the Worlds. In addition, he has written for the video game properties Kane and Lynch, Dead Space, The Evil Within and Assassins Creed. He lives and works in Birmingham, England.
“Killer Instinct has always been a killer game, and the team at Double Helix Games have been a sheer pleasure to partner with on this property,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “By bringing on widely celebrated writer Ian Edgington, and the endlessly talented Cam Adams, we’re confident this is going to be a killer comic book series as well!”
Killer Instinct is based on the popular video game franchise originally released in 1994. The fighting game developed by Double Helix Games is published by Microsoft Studios. The 2013 game serves as a reboot of the franchise after a 17-year long hiatus since its last title, Killer Instinct 2, was released in 1996.
The debut issue of Killer Instinct features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice! The cover artwork features the talents of Yildiray Cinar (Teen Titans), Jonathan Lau (Red Sonja), interior artist Cam Adams, and Udon (Streetfighter), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White” and “Virgin” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.
Killer Instinct #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT FOLLOWS UP BEST-SELLING SHEENA #0 WITH #1 IN SEPTEMBER
COVER ARTISTS J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, RYAN SOOK, CARLI IHDE PLUS COSPLAY COVER JOIN MARGUERITE BENNETT, CHRISTINA TRUJILO AND MORITAT ON ART!
Thanks to the overwhelming success of Dynamite Entertainment’s Sheena #0, the Queen of the Jungle’s latest relaunch, issue #1 is set to launch September 6th, and features a wide-swath of fantastic artwork by industry legends, including artist J. Scott Campbell!
Cover artwork for Sheena #1 spotlights the talents of not only J. Scott Campbell, but also Ryan Sook, cover artist Moritat, and Carli Ihde. Additional limited variant editions including “Black and White,” “Virgin,” and J. Scott Campbell’s “Jungle Green,” are available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the issue by achieving stocking thresholds. Written by the creative dynamic duo including GLAAD-Nominated, NYT Best-Selling Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman, Animosity) and newcomer Christina Trujilo, with illustrations by Moritat (Hellblazer, Teen Titans), everyone’s favorite Queen of the Jungle swings back into action with ongoing series!
Writer Marguerite Bennett says, “Our story is glorious golden age pulp — high adventure, quick wit, ancient mysteries, and daring dames — clashing with the perils of two worlds: one, the modern world come to conquer, and one, a world of dark supernatural mystery long forgotten, awoken to anger once more. This is a fast paced, action packed kick off to more exciting adventures for Sheena!”
Marguerite Bennett is the New York Times Bestselling, GLAAD-Nominated writer of Bombshells, Batwoman, A-Force, and Animosity, and is proud to introduce co-writer Christina Trujillo.
Christina Trujillo adds, “Sheena is strong, brave, and willing to bend the rules in order to do her duty and keep her home safe. I think fans will enjoy having Sheena as a guide while they unravel the mysteries of the forest.”
A former student of Scott Snyder (Batman), Trujillo received an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in 2013, has seen her works published in the literary journal Dark Phrases, and was a finalist for Galaxy Press’s Writers of the Future award.
“We are incredibly proud of this series, and fans have clearly shown their excitement based on the strength of pre-orders for issue #0,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “The lush universe Moritat has brought to the page is complemented by the extraordinary cover art by some the greatest talents in the business. I can say with great certainty that J. Scott Campbell has once again crafted a breath-taking character that every collector is going to want to put on display!”
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, was the first female character in comics to carry her own dedicated series beginning in 1937. Created by industry legends Will Eisner and S. M. “Jerry” Iger, this groundbreaking character saw 167 issues over the span of two decades. In this riveting relaunch, Sheena proves her prowess as the guardian of the jungle as she pursues a mysterious invader that has come to spy on the Amazon’s most ancient secrets. Following the path of the trespasser, she encounters a forbidden ruin in which even more deadly dangers lie in wait — and begins an adventure that will take her beyond her wildest imaginings!
Sheena #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August.
MARK EVANIER AND STEVE UY ANNOUNCED AS CREATIVE TEAM FOR GRUMPY CAT/GARFIELD, THE EXCITING CROSSOVER FROM DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT AND BOOM! STUDIOS
The Epic Face-Off for Finickiest Feline Finds its Way to Stores This August!
This summer, the world’s foremost finicky felines will come face-to-face in the epic crossover, Grumpy Cat/Garfield, as three-time Emmy Award nominee Mark Evanier (Garfield and Friends) steps back into the paws of the most iconic cat in comics for this three-part mini-series worthy of more than just nine lives! Joined by artist Steve Uy (Avengers: The Initiative), Grumpy Cat/Garfield will pounce its way into stores August 2, 2017!
Thanks to an exclusive partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and BOOM! Studios’ award-winning imprint, KaBOOM!, Jim Davis’ iconic comic strip cat Garfield will meet internet sensation Grumpy Cat in a limited series with a story inspired and approved by icon Jim Davis, himself!
It’s the inevitable meeting of these two loveable sourpusses! Garfield, the reigning cynical cat of newspapers and TV will cross paths with internet sensation Grumpy Cat, whose memorable scowl endeared herself to the world. Who’s the most sarcastic? Well, he hates Mondays…and she hates any day ending in “y!” Is there enough room to accommodate both truculent tabbies within the pages of the same comic book, let alone the same universe? You’ll find out in this three-issue mini-series that will have you purring that it’s the cat’s meow!
Artist Steve Uy says, “Garfield was my favorite comic strip growing up in the ’80s. When I was doing the art for Grumpy Cat last year, there was a Halloween special where I decided to dress Grumpy up as Garfield, and her brother Pokey as Heathcliff in a panel. That didn’t make it to print, and ended up being revised to a Star Wars theme instead, so when I found out there was going to be a Grumpy/Garfield crossover, it seemed like fate had stepped in and given me another chance to draw them all together again!”
Steve Uy is the artist of such Marvel/ DC series as Uncanny X-Men, Avengers Initiative, Legion of Superheroes Animated, JSA Classified, and many more. He is the artist/creator of his very own creator-owned series, Feather and Jova’s Harvest, currently available on Comixology, and has most recently released his mobile games Oasis: Path to Redemption and Evil Brown Eggs.
Writer Mark Evanier met the legendary Jack Kirby in 1969, and began working as his assistant only one week after graduating high school, eventually going on to become his official biographer. A writer and historian, Evanier has written over 500 comics for Gold Key, DC, and Marvel Comics, several hundred hours of television (most notably Garfield and Friends and Groo the Wanderer) and is the author of several books including Mad Art. He has received three Emmy Award nominations, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for animation from the Writers Guild of America.
“When we first began toying with the idea of a crossover between Grumpy Cat and Garfield, the entire team thought there could not be a more perfect fit,” says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “As the idea grew, so did our excitement. When we reached out to our dear friends at BOOM! we were delighted to find they were as excited by the idea as we were. Once we received the blessing of Grumpy Limited, Jim Davis and his team at PAWS, we knew this would be a successful project thanks to the passion of everyone involved!”
“We’ve been honored to publish the adventures of Garfield for many years now and are excited to be partnering with our friends at Dynamite Entertainment to bring Jim Davis’ creation together with another heavyweight of the cat world – Grumpy Cat,” says Filip Sablik, President of Publishing and Marketing for BOOM! “Mark Evanier is crafting a hilarious, fun-filled story that’s sure to please fans of both of these feline franchises.”
Grumpy Cat found her adopted home with Dynamite in 2015 with her comic book debut, The Misadventures of Grumpy Cat. Selling more than a half million copies and winning the hearts of readers of all ages, the ever-griping Grumpy has become one of the world’s most recognized felines. Now, her infectious charm and witty quips come face-to-face with the original cartoon cat, Garfield!
The debut issue of Grumpy Cat/Garfield features a wide selection of exciting cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of options! The cover artwork features the talents of Andy Hirsch (Garfield, Adventure Time, Regular Show), interior artist Steve Uy, Fernando Ruiz (Animal Jam), Tony Fleecs (Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened), and Phil Murphy (Regular Show), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White,” “Virgin Art,” “Coloring Book,” and “Comic Strip” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.
Grumpy Cat/Garfield #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ June 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August.
DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC STORIES OF THE
HIT VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE, KILLER INSTINCT
Dynamite Signs Ian Edington of 2000AD. Fame, to Bring the
Popular Game to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever
June 19, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: New York Times best-selling author, and multi Eisner-award nominee Ian Edington (2000AD., Batman), and artist Cam Adams (Fallout World) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-game franchise Killer Instinct to the pages of comics for the first time ever! Thanks to the new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Double Helix Studios, the new series is slated to launch on September 13th, and will provide fans of the game with epic new adventures set within the its stunning game-play universe!
The Shadow Lord Gargos has been defeated, but the battle to save humankind from his Astral invasion has taken a terrible toll on the Earth. Our world lies in ruin, and a sinister new power called the Coven has risen from the ashes, vying with the megacorporation Ultratech to rule the shattered nations. The heroes Kim Wu and Jago-their Astral powers weakened by their devastating war against Gargos-must band together with the scattered remnants of the Night Guard to forge a pathway into the Astral Plane. Here, in the birthplace of The Shadow Lord and The Guardians, festers the secret malevolence that threatens to destroy them all…and enslave the world forever.
Writer Ian Edington said, “Killer Instinct has a colorful and diverse cast of characters, each with their own rich back-stories and with plenty more tales to tell. The Killer Instinct pantheon effectively comprises a superhero universe and it’s hard not to get overwhelmed with the wealth of riches there is to work with. I’ve taken a dozen or so characters – Kim-Wu, Jago, Aganos, Tusk, Aganos, Kan-ra, etc, and built a story around them that’s self-contained but can spring board into other series if need be. I’ve structured it to appeal to die-hard Ki fans and those coming to it cold. You won’t need any foreknowledge of the game to enjoy it. Likewise, there will be plenty of nods and easter eggs to the game for Killer Instinct fans. I’ve had a huge amount of fun writing this series. It’s a fantastic world to be permitted to play around in.”
Ian Edginton is a New York Times best-selling author and multiple Eisner Award nominee. He is the writer and creator of Stickleback, Helium, Kingmaker, Leviathan, Brass Sun, and the renowned UK science fiction comic 2000AD. He has written for Judge Dredd, Batman, Wolverine, X-Force, Uncanny X-Men,and Stormwatch, as well as Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Star Trek, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Doctor Who. He also wrote Scarlet Traces and Scarlet Traces: The Great Game, the Eisner Award nominated sequels to HG Wells, The War of the Worlds. In addition, he has written for the video game properties Kane and Lynch, Dead Space, The Evil Within and Assassins Creed. He lives and works in Birmingham, England.
“Killer Instinct has always been a killer game, and the team at Double Helix Games have been a sheer pleasure to partner with on this property,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “By bringing on widely celebrated writer Ian Edington, and the endlessly talented Cam Adams, we’re confident this is going to be a killer comic book series as well!”
Killer Instinct is based on the popular video game franchise originally released in 1994. The fighting game developed by Double Helix Games is published by Microsoft Studios. The 2013 game serves as a reboot of the franchise after a 17-year long hiatus since its last title, Killer Instinct 2, was released in 1996.
The debut issue of Killer Instinct features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice! The cover artwork features the talents of Yildiray Cinar (Teen Titans), Jonathan Lau (Red Sonja), interior artist Cam Adams, and Udon (Streetfighter), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White” and “Virgin” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.
Killer Instinct #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.
“LIKE” DYNAMITE’S FACEBOOK PAGE TODAY!
http://www.facebook.com/dynamitecomics
Join the conversation on Dynamite Entertainment’s twitter page at
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit
http://www.comicshoplocator.com/
For art and more information, please visit:
http://www.dynamite.com/