FCBD TOP COW CREATORS MAKE PUBLIC APPEARANCES

TOP COW CREATORS MAKE PUBLIC APPEARANCES IN SUPPORT OF FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

Writers and artists to appear in comic book shops across the country

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 30, 2008 – Top Cow Productions Inc. is proud to announce that many of its creators will be participating in Free Comic Book Day (May 3, 2008) by making public appearances at select comic book stores across the country.
Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores. This is the seventh year the event is being held.
“Free Comic Book Day is one of the few days you can count on seeing a lot of families out to the comic book store together,” observed Phil Hester, who writes The Darkness. “Kids mean new readers, if not for a darker book like The Darkness, but at least for comics in general!”
Hester is just one of the many Top Cow creators who will go out on Free Comic Book Day to meet fans. “I’m so proud that many of our writers and artists are helping to create buzz for Free Comic Book Day at their local shops,” said VP of Sales and Marketing Mel Caylo. “We love our fans as much as they love us, plus, this is a great way to earn ourselves some new readers!”
As part of Free Comic Book Day, Top Cow is releasing an eight-page prelude to its big summer event, Broken Trinity, written by Ron Marz (Witchblade, Samurai: Heaven and Earth) and drawn by Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade, First Born). The issue also contains four-page introductions to each of its flagship titles, Witchblade and The Darkness.
Here is a list of Top Cow creators who are scheduled to appear this Saturday, Free Comic Book Day:

BRAVE NEW WORLD COMICS
22722 Lyons Avenue #6
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259- 4745
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. PST
Michael Broussard (artist, The Darkness)
Sheldon Mitchell (artist, Freshmen: Summer Vacation Special, X-Men: Messiah CompleX )
Blond (colorist, Freshmen, Witchblade Takeru Manga)
Nei Ruffino (colorist, Witchblade/Devi, Grimm Fairy Tales, Return to Wonderland)

GOLDEN APPLE COMICS (VALLEY)
8967 Reseda Blvd. (S. of Nordhoff near CSUN)
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 993-7804
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. PST
Michael Broussard (artist, The Darkness)
Sheldon Mitchell (artist, Freshmen: Summer Vacation Special, X-Men: Messiah CompleX )
Blond (colorist, Freshmen, Witchblade Takeru Manga)
Nei Ruffino (colorist, Witchblade/Devi, Grimm Fairy Tales, Return to Wonderland)

END ZONE HOBBY SHOP
133 S. State Street
Clearfield, Utah 84015
(801) 774-5050
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. MST
Tyler Kirkham (artist, Strykeforce, Ultimate Fantastic Four)

AMAZING COMICS & CARDS
5555 Stearns Street, Suite 103
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 493-4427
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PST
Eric Basaldua (artist, Witchblade/Devi, Hunter-Killer)
Rick Basaldua (inker, Witchblade/Devi, Hunter-Killer)
Joshua Hale Fialkov (writer, Pilot Season: Cyblade, Elk’s Run)

GOLDEN APPLE COMICS (HOLLYWOOD)
7018 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 658-6047
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. PST
Eric Basaldua (artist, Witchblade/Devi, Hunter-Killer)
Rick Basaldua (inker, Witchblade/Devi, Hunter-Killer)
Joshua Hale Fialkov (writer, Pilot Season: Cyblade, Elk’s Run)

EARTHWORLD COMICS
537 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 459-2400
12 – 4 p.m. EST
Ron Marz (writer, Witchblade, First Born, Broken Trinity)

YANCY STREET COMICS
3615 Universal Plaza
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 817-0888
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST
Phil Hester (writer, The Darkness, Firebreather)

ATOMIC COMICS (MESA SUPERSTORE)
1120 South Country Club #105
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 649-0807
12 – 5 p.m. MT
Marc Silvestri (artist, Hunter-Killer, Cyberforce, The Darkness, Witchblade)

THE COMIC BUG
1807 ½ Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 372-6704
12 – 3 p.m. PST
Ryan Winn (inker, The Darkness)

GEOFFREY’S COMICS
15900 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite B
Gardena, CA 90250
(310) 538-3198
12 – 2 p.m. PST
David Wohl (writer, Witchblade, Aphrodite IX, The Darkness)

METRO COMICS INC.
San Patricio Plaza
Corner of Roosevelt and San Patricio
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968
(787) 781-4110
9 – 11 a.m. AST
Kenneth Rocafort (artist, Madame Mirage, Hunter-Killer)


For more information on Free Comic Book Day and to find out which shop near you is participating, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

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Top Cow and Virgin Talk About Teaming Up for Their First Crossover Book

With the release of Witchblade/Devi, Wizard Universe sat down with Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik and Virgin Comics Chief Creative Officer Gotham Chopra to talk about this first crossover event between the two companies.



CLICK HERE TO READ THE JOINT INTERVIEW

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Witchblade trades 1-3 review

I recently just read these three volumes and they collect issues 80-100. It was a really great reading experience to sit down and powerhouse through twenty issues worth of stories from Witchblade. I'm a recent convert to Witchblade. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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Witchblade Anime Vol 6 DVD

Badly wounded, Masane has been burned out by the power of the Witchblade as it takes its lethal toll. But as her life force ebbs, Doji’s I-Weapons are about to go after her thanks to Wado’s over-reaching plan. To protect her daughter, Masane must fight, not for herself, but to save the life she holds most dear – Rihoko’s. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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Pilot Season: Lady Pendragon Preview Art

Check out some cool, unlettered color preview art of the upcoming Pilot Season: Lady Pendragon by writer Matt Hawkins and artist Eru of Imaginary Friends Studios!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW.

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INTERVIEW RANDY QUEEN ON STARFALL

Announced at Top Cow’s New York Comic Con panel, Randy Queen’s Starfall will be the first major work from the creator since his Darkchylde in the ‘90s. Only teaser art was shown, with Top Cow President Matt Hawkins noting that the publisher will not be soliciting the new project until all the issues are done, in order to guarantee that readers are able to follow the story on a monthly basis.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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PREVIEW: PILOT SEASON TWILIGHT GUARDIAN

Pilot Season: Twilight Guardian #1
(W) Troy Hickman (A) Reza (Cov) Hendry Prasetyo

She’s the hero who could be you! Eisner-nominee Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) brings you more of his unique view of the superhero genre, with stunning artwork by Reza. Enter the world of the Twilight Guardian and the nine-block area she patrols each night, a world of everyday intrigue, brown and green gargantuas, marital aids, and yes, donut shops. Superheroics meets slice-of-life as you’ve never seen before! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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Top Cow Appearances April 26-27

Top Cow will be represented at two public events this weekend!

If you're in Calgary, Alberta, come check us out at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo! Witchblade artist Stjepan Sejic and Publisher Filip Sablik will be on hand with some cool merchandise, freebies and signings!



If you're in the Los Angeles, CA area, come by the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the UCLA campus and say hi to VP - Sales and Marketing Mel Caylo and Associate Editor Joshua Cozine. They'll have a variety of trade paperbacks, books and graphic novels for sale.



See you this weekend!

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Watch a Video Interview with Darkness Artist Michael Broussard

The Comic Collective caught up with The Darkness artist Michael Broussard at New York Comic-Con and asked him where The Darkness is now, what it's like to work with Phil Hester and other interesting questions.



CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW

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Wizard Snags Ron and Stjepan for Impromptu Interviews at New York Comic-Con

Wizard Universe caught up with the Witchblade team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic on the floor of New York Comic-Con last weekend to get on-the-spot reactions to the show.



CLICK HERE TO READ THE MINI INTERVIEWS

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Comic Geek Speak Interviews a Bunch of Top Cow Creators

The podcasters at Comic Geek Speak were at New York Comic-Con this past weekend and they were able to speak to a slew of Top Cow creators at the show. There are joint interviews with The Darkness team of Phil Hester and Michael Broussard and the Witchblade team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic. There's also a funny interview with Freshmen co-creator/writer Hugh Sterbakov and a revealing one with Top Cow President and Pilot Season: Lady Pendragon writer Matt Hawkins. Some good stuff! (Starts at about five minutes in.)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

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TOP COW KICK OFF PILOT SEASON 2008

TOP COW ANNOUNCES ‘LADY PENDRAGON’ AND ‘TWILIGHT GUARDIAN’ WILL
KICK OFF A NEW YEAR OF PILOT SEASON BOOKS

PILOT SEASON 2008

Six comic books spanning different genres will vie to be one of two titles
added to the 2009 publishing schedule

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 23, 2008 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that the first two of six Pilot Season 2008 books will kick off in May with Lady Pendragon and Twilight Guardian.
Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007 that borrows its concept from the television industry: Six “pilots” are submitted for consideration to be “picked up for a season,” except instead of TV executives deciding their fates, it’s the fans who decide by voting online. Last year’s top two vote getters, Cyblade and Velocity, will debut with new series later this year. Over four million votes were cast last year through a partnership with MySpace Comics.
While 2007’s books were based on existing Top Cow characters that didn’t have their own titles at the time, this year’s batch will feature four completely original properties and two that had previous lives elsewhere. These latter two are Lady Pendragon and Twilight Guardian.
Created by current Top Cow President Matt Hawkins, Lady Pendragon first debuted in 1996 and had successful series runs published by Image from 1998-2000. The writer decided to bring her back because “Pilot Season is one of the cooler editorial things we’ve ever done at Top Cow, so I’m digging just being a part of it,” said Hawkins. But just because the president of the company is participating doesn’t mean there’s a fix involved, he assured. “I’d prefer to lose, actually,” Hawkins pointed out, “so don’t vote for me!”
Pilot Season: Lady Pendragon #1 is the story of a direct descendant of King Arthur and Lady Guinevere who revives magic in the modern-day world, but is conflicted when she discovers her doing so may have done more harm than good. Filled with nods to Arthurian legend and fantastic battle scenes with dragons, the issue is drawn by Singapore-based artist Eru of Imaginary Friends Studios and features a beautifully painted cover by Star Wars and Indiana Jones movie poster artist Drew Struzan.
Also launching in May is Pilot Season: Twilight Guardian #1, a property created by Eisner nominee Troy Hickman (Common Grounds). Reza, also of Imaginary Friends Studios, will handle interior art while Hendry Prasetyo provides the cover.
“Twilight Guardian is about an average woman with a particular kind of OCD which drives her to patrol a nine-block area in her neighborhood every night, and about the other ‘night people’ and situations she encounters because of it,” Hickman described of the book, which was first published as a mini-comic. “It’s a premise that allows me to further muddy that line between superheroics and slice-of-life that has been the hallmark of my work.”
Unlike Hawkins, Hickman is gunning to be one of the top two vote getters. “We often hear people saying they want to see new kinds of characters and stories in comics,” said Hickman. “If that’s true, I’d like to think they’d gravitate to Twilight Guardian, which isn’t really like anything else on the ’stands, as far as I know.
“Y’know, when I told my editor Rob Levin that I was scared about my competition in this year’s Pilot Season, he said, ‘You’ve got humanity going for you,’” Hickman continued. “It’s something I strive for in all my stories, that basic humanity that connects with the reader. It was at the core of my Common Grounds stuff, but it may be stronger in Twilight Guardian than in anything else I’ve done so far. I think folks will dig it.”
The remaining Pilot Season books will be released in June and July, with voting to open at the beginning of August. They include:

ALIBI (June) – Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov (a Pilot Season 2007 winner with Cyblade) and artist Jeremy Haun (Civil War: Iron Man/Captain America) tell the story of a hitman who always has the perfect alibi whenever he’s accused of a high-profile assassination, but now someone knows his secret.

GENIUS (June) – From Entertainment Weekly senior editor Marc Bernardin and “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” producer Adam Freeman (writing partners who’ve previously worked on The Highwaymen and Monster Attack Network) comes a story about an exceptionally clever 17-year-old who unites the gangs in her neighborhood to wage war against the Los Angeles Police Department. Fresh newcomer Afua Richardson (Half Dead) provides art.

THE CORE (July) – Eisner-nominated writer Jonathan Hickman (Pax Romana) and Madame Mirage artist Kenneth Rocafort create a unique sci-fi tale about the first human appointed to an interplanetary Special Forces unit, and the trials he must endure to earn the respect of his extraterrestrial teammates.

URBAN MYTHS (July) – Fan-favorite writer Jay Faerber (Dynamo 5) teams with up-and-coming artist Jorge Molina (Superman/Batman Annual) to craft a story about a world where the Greek gods still meddle in the lives of men, and the best private investigator out there happens to be the mask-wearing son of Medusa.

Troy Hickman acknowledged that Pilot Season 2008 is a tough field. “I’m terrified,” he said. “Have you seen this list of creators? These are some of the hottest folks in comics today…er, not that I find them attractive. My main strategy is to hope people confuse me with Jonathan Hickman so I can tap into his massive fan base—and if you’ve ever had someone tap into your massive fan base, you know how painful it can be.”
“Oh, I’m pretty resolute that I’ll lose,” said Hawkins. “This is some solid competition! I’ve actually tweaked my story to make sure it was completely self-contained so that when these other titans trounce me, I can at least have a nice story out there.”
Creators on each Pilot Season book are free to run whatever campaign they’d like to drum up votes for their title.
“It’s nice to have the Pilot Season voting coincide with the presidential election,” observed Hickman. “I plan to run a clean campaign, so I won’t be attacking my opponents. People might be interested, though in Matt Hawkins’ connection to certain foreign governments, or Jay Faerber’s plan to tax widows and orphans.”
Additional details on the other four series will be released in the coming weeks, as will details on when and how the Pilot Season 2008 polls will open.

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Entertainment Weekly Online discusses Wanted

EW recommends you read "Wanted" before you go see "Wanted". We agree it's a good idea:) Or read it afterwards, we're fine with that too! We disagree on one point - you won't be disappointed by the difference in the stories, because they both ROCK!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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New Wanted Poster Image Revealed

If you missed getting the new Wanted poster at New York Comic Con, you can check it out here thanks to SuperheroHype.com.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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Wizard Universe Interviews Randy Queen About Starfall

Randy Queen returns to full-on comic work with his newest series Starfall!

What's it about? We'll let Randy give a rundown in his own words:

"Space Pirates crash land on an uncharted Jungle Planet, and unknowingly unleash degenerative nanobot technology that turns the local dinosaur and cannibal populace into raging zombies!

"The story's protagonist is Sierra Starfall, a female Flash Gordon/Tarzan type character who's hotwired with Dragon DNA and over 100 years old—despite not looking a day over 25. Sierra is legendary and considered by many to be the galaxy's greatest warrior. She is commander of a fiercely loyal rogue's gallery of alien mercs, who have survived and vanquished many perils. This time they won't."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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PREVIEW Darkness vs. Eva: Daughter of Dracula #2

Top Cow and Dynamite are at it again, this time pitting The Darkness against the ass-kicking daughter of Dracula (and slayer of all things evil and undead) - Eva, as the two meet for the first time ever!

This crossover of dark and demonic dimensions continues as Eva and Jackie Estacado are drawn together by mysterious forces and when they meet - darkness meets darkness and you can bet there's gonna be a fight!

Written by Leah Moore and John Reppion, and drawn by Edgar Salazar, this first issue also features three incredible covers by Paul (Red Sonja) Renaud, Brett (Anita Blake) Booth and Edgar Salazar.

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IN STORES THIS WEEK

Witchblade #117
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Sejic, Luke Ross Romance blossoms this spring courtesy of WITCHBLADE's new long term creative team of Ron Marz (FIRST BORN, SAMURAI: HEAVEN & EARTH) and painter Stjepan Sejic (FIRST BORN, THE DARKNESS) when Dani meets a handsome stranger who sweeps her off her feet. But Sara's police instincts kick in and she suspects there is more to Dani's new paramour than meets the eye. Featuring a beautiful variant cover by Luke Ross (SAMURAI: HEAVEN & EARTH).

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 continuing series

BUY NOW

BUY NOW


DARKNESS VS. EVA: DAUGHTER OF DRACULA #2
Top Cow and Dynamite are at it again, this time pitting The Darkness against the ass-kicking daughter of Dracula (and slayer of all things evil and undead) - Eva, as the two meet for the first time ever!
This crossover of dark and demonic dimensions continues as Eva and Jackie Estacado are drawn together by mysterious forces and when they meet - darkness meets darkness and you can bet there's gonna be a fight!
Written by Leah Moore and John Reppion, and drawn by Edgar Salazar, this first issue also features three incredible Covers: Paul (Red Sonja) Renaud, Brett (Anita Blake) Booth
BUY NOW

BUY NOW

BUY NOW

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NYCC '08: THE TOP COW PANEL

At Saturday’s Top Cow panel at New York Comic Con, Publisher Philip Sablik opted to At Saturday’s Top Cow panel at New York Comic Con, Publisher Philip Sablik opted to start things off by showing the trailer for the June 27th-debuting Wanted, which was met with applause from the crowd that nearly filled the room.

With the crowd in a good mood, Sablik next introduced the panelists joining him on the stage: President and COO Matt Hawkins, Witchblade writer Ron Marz, Witchblade artist Stjepan Sejic, Freshmen co-creator and writer Hugh Sterbakov, VP Editorial Rob Levin, Darkness writer Phil Hester, Darkness artist Michael Broussard, Genius writer Marc Bernadin, Alibi writer Jonathan Hale Fialkov, and Freshmen co-creator Seth Green who joined the panel a few minutes late, joking that he had been sitting on the stage of an Avatar panel before he realized he was in the wrong place. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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NEW YORK COMIC CON: WANTED PANEL

NEW YORK -- Universal Pictures kicked off its comics-to-movies trio at New York Comic Con on Saturday with a presentation for Wanted.

Following are highlights:

* Director Timur Bekmanbetov kicked off the panel by introducing the action scene that was first shown at WonderCon.

* Bekmanbetov said he was contacted by Universal right after finishing his previous film, Night Watch.

"I like this comic book. I liked Wanted," he said. "I tried to be careful with tone and the character. We just changed the elments. The basis is the same." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

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TOP COW WELCOMES STJEPAN SEJIC TO NYCC

TOP COW WELCOMES CROATIAN ARTIST TO HIS FIRST
NORTH AMERICAN CONVENTION

STJEPAN SEJIC

Publisher proud to host ‘Witchblade’ artist at the 2008 New York Comic-Con

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 17, 2008 – Top Cow Productions Inc. is proud to announce that Croatia-based Witchblade artist Stjepan Sejic will make his North American convention debut at New York Comic-Con 2008!
Eager to meet his U.S.-based fans, the artist will appear at the Top Cow booth (#1506) for several autograph signings, sketchings, and will also perform on the Variant Stage on the show floor to demonstrate how he produces his unique and stunning art.
“Witchblade, Broken Trinity, and more…there are exciting times ahead for the Cow,” said Sejic as he prepared for his first transcontinental flight. “I hope you join us, and if you want to get on my good side, please offer my wife and I coffee!” he laughed.
Sejic will appear at the Top Cow booth (#1506) at New York Comic-Con on Friday, April 18 from 6 – 7:15 p.m., Saturday, April 19 from 4:30 – 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 20 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. He will demonstrate his art technique on the Variant Stage on Saturday from 1 – 2 p.m.

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PREVIEW WITCHBLADE/DEVI #1

Witchblade/Devi #1

(W) Ron Marz (A) Eric Basaldua (Cov) Greg Land, Basaldua

When a murder investigation takes her to India, NYPD Detective Sara Pezzini, the bearer of the mystical Witchblade, crosses paths with Devi, goddess incarnate and protector of Sitapur in the first-ever crossover with Virgin Comics! If they can survive their initial meeting, the two women will confront a powerful common enemy, and discover that this is not the first time an incarnation of Devi and a bearer of the Witchblade have met.

From the powerhouse team of Ron Marz (WITCHBLADE, FIRST BORN) and Eric Basaldua (THE DARKNESS, HUNTER-KILLER) and featuring two covers including half of a diptych cover by Greg Land (ULTIMATE POWER).

Look for the other half of the tale in Devi/Witchblade #1 from Virgin Comics in May!

Cover A – Greg Land
Cover B – Eric Basaldua

Full Color 32 pages $3.99 limited series

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