Monday, November 30, 2009

Rip Reviewed


PolCulture.com reviewed our new Alex Raymond hardcover collection, ALEX RAYMOND'S RIP KIRBY, VOLUME 1: 1946-1948, saying, among other nice things about the book and about Raymond's work in general:
IDW Publishing and editor Dean Mullaney deserve an enormous amount of credit for bringing this material back into print. And on such a gargantuan scale! This slab of a book contains well over 800 daily strips, and if one enjoys the dramatic-continuity newspaper comics of the Forties and Fifties, it’s an absolute feast.

Read the full review here.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

IDW's new releases for December 3


Thursday this week, not the usual Wednesday.

American McGee's Grimm TPB
Dead, She Said TPB
Demons of Sherwood TPB
Doctor Who: Classics Series II #13
Doctor Who: Through Time and Space TPB
G.I. Joe #12
GrimJack: Manx Cat #5
Legion: Prophets #2
Legion: Prophets #3
Next Men Premiere, Vol. 2 HC
Starstruck #4
Transformers: Best of U.K.: Prey #5

Saturday, November 28, 2009

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.



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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.

Monday, November 23, 2009

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.

Friday, November 20, 2009

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.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

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





Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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.




USA TF-day


USA TODAY has a piece on our new TRANSFORMERS #1 comic in that was released today. The headline above, and definitely the article, both feature some big spoilers, so don't click this link if you'd prefer to avoid that.

But assuming you've read the issue already, what'd you think?

UPDATE: A 4-star review for #1 from Comics Bulletin, which says, among other things:

First off, and the reason this reviewer picked the book up after a first glance, is the art. The art team has captured the design and uniqueness of the characters, while adding details that will be eye-popping to anyone who has only seen the blocky toys or flat animation of the television series. The lines are definitive and strong for the robots, while fluid and organic for the humans. The colors are bright and clean, adding to the characters distinctiveness and personality. The art is beautiful and just technical enough to be perfect for a book about giant robots.


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

All the gifts that are fit to print


The "grey lady" herself, the venerable NEW YORK TIMES, has put out its year-end gift guide for graphic novels, and two of the ten choices are IDW books. Check 'em out here (although the image above is a pretty good giveaway as to what the two books are).

Fallen Angel hype


Peter David and JK Woodward have been pushing the coming FALLEN ANGEL: REBORN trade paperback (due in early January) pretty hard, through various podcasts and interviews. Links to some of their hard schlepping:

Pete's Basement (a video podcast. J.K. invited them to the studio so he could show some of the artwork)

It Came Out on Wednesday (Comixology podcast)

It Came from the Longbox

Previewing February Previews

Ahead of our full February solicits being released, I'll show some cover images of books being solicited for release in Feb. '10. Up today, some Hasbro titles:



Monday, November 16, 2009

Minding the store


Up now at the iTunes App store are four different IDW "Storefront" apps. All of these apps are free downloads for your iPhone/iPod touch, too. They all offer you the ability have your IDW comic apps organized inside the storefront. The IDW app helps you organize and find everything we have available, and keep them all inside that one application (as opposed to having every single title and issue as a separate app unto itself). And there are also free Transformers, G.I. Joe and Star trek storefronts that do the same.

The nice thing about these is that, with them, we're the first publisher to launch our own "in-app purchase" storefronts. Each one's got anywhere from 30-60 titles (the IDW storefront has everything IDW has up at iTunes, over 200 books), and some full collections (like ALL HAIL MEGATRON 1-12) in each app, with more coming every week.

In addition to being free downloads, the apps come pre-loaded with some free comics for you, too. Check 'em out here:
IDW storefront
Transformers storefront
G.I. Joe storefront
Star Trek storefront

Advancement

It's been a good week or two for advance copies around the office, with new hardcover copies of THE ROCKEETEER, NEXT MEN PREMIERE EDITION, VOL. 2 and THE ART OF DITKO, our first book under our new Yoe Books imprint, all arriving. They'll all be in stores early December:


Sunday, November 15, 2009

IDW's new releases for November 18


Alright, TRANSFORMERS fans, the big week is finally here...
24 Omnibus
Angel: Only Human #4
Legion: Prophets #1
Rip Kirby, Vol. 1
Robert Block's Lori
Star Trek: TNG: Ghosts #1
Transformers #1

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Snake Eyes eyes Snake Eyes


Even Snake Eyes needs some downtime between slicin' and dicin', and here you can see how he spends his time. This pic comes to us from the real man under the mask, Daniel Thompson, at The Zone, a Louisville, KY-based comics shop. I'm pretty sure this was just how he dressed on Halloween, but then again, he might also suit every Wednesday to intimidate any potential shoplifters. So tread lightly, that's all I'm saying. You'll never hear him coming as you try to stash a copy of, say, G.I. JOE: SNAKE EYES #1 (his book of choice in the photo) and then the next thing you know, your hands are separated from your body with one slice of his blade.

Family Affair


FAMILY CIRCUS creator Bil Keane's son Jeff, who has been doing the strip with his father for some time, talked to iCV2.com about our new FAMILY CIRCUS collection, and other thoughts about the strip's 50-year history. Read the interview here. Above, the very first FAMILY CIRCUS strip, from February 29, 1960.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The palindrome is back


Franco Urru's making his return to ANGEL... but not in the main series. Where, then? That'll be revealed soon enough. But after a look at this image, a better question might be "when"...?

Ghost-fight!


LOCKE & KEY: CROWN OF SHADOWS #1 is in stores today. And the start of this third L&K series features, among other things, a ghost-fight (the beginning of which can be seen in the above image from the issue). Which is really the way all first issue should--but rarely do--begin.

A few early reviews of the issue are in, too:
IGN.com
Gregor's Review
Broken Frontier
But only read once you've read the issue itself so you don't spoil anything...

Full Nelson


Artist Nelson's variant cover for issue 1 of Alan Robert's WIRE HANGERS, coming in early 2010.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Special SFX


SFX magazine's 2010 SFX Sci-Fi Awards nominations are now up, and LOCKE & KEY is among the Best Comic Book/Graphic Novel nominations. It's got some stiff competition so head here to cast your vote now.

Vitriolic

Next year, we're launching Good Charlotte guitarist Billy Martin's first comic book series, VITRIOL THE HUNTER. Billy's co-writing the book with with Brent Allen and penciling it. I wanted to show here the progression of a page from the first issue.

So we begin with Billy's pencils from page 2:


From there, the page is sent on to the inker, Jon "Waki" Wycough:


And finally the colors, added here by Jeremy Treece, giving us our first full-color look at Vitriol in the issue:

Thursday, November 5, 2009

After the Fall


Yesterday's story about Ironhide getting killed in issue one of the upcoming TRANSFORMERS series seems to have struck a chord, based on the responses here, the mail I've gotten, and the dozens of pages of responses at TRANSFORMERS fan sites. Much of the opinion seems to be based around assumptions that we're headed in a direction that's not correct, but the fact that people are talking does show they care. Hopefully not to such a degree that they let incorrect suppositions keep them from checking out the comic itself, because I think it's going to surprise many of the naysayers. But following up that piece, TF editor Andy Schmidt answered some questions about the death and where things are headed in the series.

All this with still two weeks before the issue itself hits stores. Read the full piece with Andy here.

All in the Family


USA TODAY's Web site has a piece up on the newspaper strip THE FAMILY CIRCUS's approaching 50th anniversary, including an interview with the Scott Dunbier, editor of the new hardcover strip book collections we're doing (the first volume of which is out now).

Read the full piece here.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Iron-Died


Hmm, is that Subject a bit of a spoiler? Maybe. If so, whatever you do, don't look down. And definitely don't click here to see the full 3-page spoiler-filled bit from TRANSFORMERS #1 (out two weeks from today).

However, if you do look, I'd love to know your thoughts on what you see. And this is only one of two momentous moments in the first issue (the second of which might involve less Energon-shed but it's more status-quo changing, anyway.

That Mike Costa doesn't mess around in trying to make his mark on TF fandom...

Monday, November 2, 2009

Grabbing the Book by the Horns


In addition to being an Eisner-nominated comic book writer for LOCKE & KEY, Joe Hill also manages to find time here and there to be a NY Times Bestselling writer of books without pictures, too. And HORNS, the follow-up to his debut novel, HEART-SHAPED BOX, is due out in February 2010.

But before that, out in January 2010 is issue 3 of LOCKE & KEY: CROWN OF SHADOWS (the first issue of which is in stores next week). And in the back of that third issue, we're going to be running a special multi-page preview of HORNS. The special preview pages will also be accompanied by a special drawing Gabriel Rodriguez did for it, too, so this issue will be the only place you'll get this extended read before the novel comes out.