How Gabriel Rodriguez Spent His Thanksgiving Weekend

Since there is no "Thanksgiving" weekend as we know it in late November in Chile, Gabriel Rodriguez spent the past few days much more productively than those of us in the U.S., as evidenced here. This is the incentive cover for LOCKE & KEY: CROWN OF SHADOWS #5 -- each issue of this current series features a special second "shadow" cover -- taken from pencils to inks to finished colors over the same amount of time it took the rest of us to prepare, eat, and digest a turkey dinner this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving from the IDW family!

Off to see the Wizard

In January, we'll be releasing a hardcover collection of Kurt Busiek and David Wenzel's WIZARD'S TALE. Wenzel's best-known for illustrating Tolkein's THE HOBBIT graphic novel, and has done many other things, from illustrating childrens's books to other fantasy-related projects and beyond. But with luck, people will be talking up WIZARD'S TALE as favorably as they do THE HOBBIT, because you can see from his pages here that the work is just gorgeous.

The official description of the book, which should be out in mid-January, is this:

Wizard’s Tale
Kurt Busiek (w) • David Wenzel (a & c)
A magical story of redemption! The Wizard’s Tale is the story of the aged Bafflerog Rumplewhisker and his young companion, Muddle, the woodcutter’s son, as they embark on a quest to retrieve the magical Book of Worse—a tome that will ensure the land of Ever-Night remains as it is, a dark and gloomy realm of evil. But old Rumplewhisker’s heart slowly warms on their journey, and a chance to restore a semblance of goodness to Ever-Night is possible—If he and his young charge can dare face the challenges ahead.
HC • FC • $24.99 • 144 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-595-1
© 2010 Kurt Busiek and David Wenzel

You can check out more of Wenzel's amazing illustrations at his official Web site.

We Will Swallow You

Eisner- and Ignatz-Award-winning creator Nate Powell (whose book SWALLOW ME WHOLE, released by Top Shelf, was one of the more lauded graphic novels of 2008) provided the cover for the upcoming WE WILL BURY YOU #2. The book, by Brea & Zane Grant and Kyle Strahm, debuts in February 2010.

Showing Mercy

We've partnered with the Dabel Bros. on the next Mercy Thompson graphic novel, MOON CALLED, coming in February. The official press release:

San Diego, CA (November 23, 2009) – Dabel Brothers and IDW Publishing are pleased to announce an agreement to co-publish Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson: Moon Called, a four-issue miniseries adaptation of the best selling author’s new novel, in early 2010.

Moon Called is the first Mercy Thompson novel from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs. The novel introduces Mercedes “Mercy” Thompson, a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in Washington State, who also happens to be a “walker,” a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Moon Called tells of Mercy and the rest of the paranormal cast in the novels, among them werewolves, vampires, gremlins, and more.

Moon Called is also a direct follow-up to the mega-hit Mercy Thompson comic book series Homecoming, published by Dabel Brothers in 2008-2009. Homecoming, the Mercy Thompson graphic novel that serves as a prequel story to Moon Called, debuted at #1 on The New York Times Bestseller List for Hardcover Graphic Books, and is fourth on Amazon’s bestselling graphic novel list for 2009.

“Moon Called is chock full of great stuff and perfect for the supernatural fanatic who just can't get enough of their creepy beasties in their reading diet!” said IDW’s new senior editor, Bob Schreck.

Mercy Thompson: Moon Called is being written by Derek Ruiz, with art by Clint Hilinski. The first of the four-issue series will be available in February 2010 from IDW, with subsequent issues shipping on a monthly basis thereafter. The graphic novel is scheduled to be published in August 2010 by IDW, and will be distributed by Diamond Books Distributor.

Briggs has written four Mercy Thompson novels to date, the last of which, Bone Crossed, debuted at #3 on the New York Times Fiction Bestseller List, and remained on for weeks after. The next Mercy Thompson novel, Silver Borne, is scheduled for publication in March 2010.

“We’re thrilled to be working with IDW on this project,” says Vice President Les Dabel. “Their track record speaks for itself, and we really feel they’ve been making a lot of smart moves within the industry the last couple years.”


Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson: Moon Called #1 ($3.99, 32 page, full color comic) will be available in stores in February 2010. Diamond order code #DEC09 0886.

IDW's new releases for November 25

Before you head out for Thanksgiving...

Ashley Wood's Tre Tarino
G.I. Joe: Origins #9
The Last Resort #4
Legion: Prophets #2
Star Trek: Nero #4
Transformers: Tales of the Fallen #4

Desperado: we've come to our senses

We sent around word today that Joe Pruett's Desperado, publisher of art books like THE ART OF BRIAN BOLLAND and many other great things, is joining up with IDW to bring all their projects to us, and I wanted to show the cover art for the first of those projects, SKULDUGGERY: THE ART OF TONY HARRIS, coming in March.

Optimus Prime quits, sells out

Sometimes I can just sit back and let the press release do the talking for me:

IDW's The TRANSFORMERS #1 Sells Out
Second printing of new ongoing TRANSFORMERS comics available December 2nd

San Diego, CA (November 19, 2009) – The new TRANSFORMERS comics era has begun! After just one day in stores, The TRANSFORMERS #1 is already sold out through Diamond, and IDW Publishing will rush its inaugural ongoing comic to a second printing. Under license from Hasbro, Inc., the second printing of The TRANSFORMERS #1 will be available in comic stores on December 2nd, featuring a new cover by series artist Don Figueroa.

The first ongoing TRANSFORMERS comic series in five years, The TRANSFORMERS is a must-read for old and new fans. The TRANSFORMERS #1 starts the series off with two huge events – the death of IRONHIDE and subsequent resignation of OPTIMUS PRIME, the heroic leader of the AUTOBOTS.

“Launching an ongoing series based on a world-wide franchise like Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS brand is not something we take lightly,” said Andy Schmidt, IDW’s TRANSFORMERS editor. “We know we have to make every issue count so that our readers are getting a great read every time and that our retailer partners are assured that they’ve got a product they can sell month after month. And this second printing is evidence that Mike and Don have succeeded at delivering exactly that.”

The TRANSFORMERS is helmed by Mike Costa (G.I.JOE: COBRA) with art and covers by returning, artistic dynamo Don Figueroa. The ongoing series is also the launching point for two new miniseries, TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE and TRANSFORMERS: Last Stand of the WRECKERS, debuting in December and January, respectively.

The TRANSFORMERS #1 (second printing, 32 pages, $3.99) will be available on December 2nd. Diamond order code #OCT09 8086.

And still more February covers

More of IDW's February covers

More February covers. I think I'll let them all just stand alone without description. The Previews in stores the day before Thanksgiving will explain all, though.