Comic book series co-created by Seth Green and Hugh Sterbakov set for a 48-page one-shot issue featuring an all-new story, pin-ups, character designs and more LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 7, 2008 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that the
Freshmen: Summer Vacation Special, scheduled to ship in June, will feature all-new bonus material in addition to a brand-new story written by Hugh Sterbakov.
Freshmen is a Top Cow comic book series co-created by Sterbakov and actor, producer and director, Seth Green (
Robot Chicken,
Family Guy).
“We’re going to have a bevy of extras, including a new, back-up text story written by yours chubbily, in addition to some pin-ups and other goodies,” said Sterbakov. “Also, as a special bonus just for our readers and hidden deep within these pages will be the true, honest, secret of the universe. Believe it. Or not.”
In addition to the secret of the universe, the 48-page one-shot issue will contain bonus pin-ups from interior artist Sheldon Mitchell (
X-Men: Messiah CompleX), including one that pays homage to characters from the “Star Wars” franchise, which is a favorite of Sterbakov and Green’s. Other extras include a bonus story by Sterbakov, character style sheets, a photo parade of the creators and pin-ups by Rick Basaldua (
The Darkness: Levels) and Filip Sablik (
Army of Darkness).
The main story picks up chronologically after the end of the second series,
Fundamentals of Fear. “We wanted to do a stand-alone adventure story to show what our kids are up to post second series without getting into the bigger stories of a third series,” said Green. In this issue, Green Thumb (aka Charles Levy), who can communicate with plants, needs the team’s help in dealing with his amorous houseplant. “This is an action-driven story in which Charles’ lovelorn plant returns in a whole new form to wreak devastating havoc on the school, and it’s told through the dazed haze of the Intoxicator,” said Sterbakov, referring to the Freshman who can produce toxic burps when he’s under the influence.
Rejoining Green and Sterbakov will be cover artist Rodolfo Migliari (
Rogue), and a new member of the creative team is latest Top Cow find, Sheldon Mitchell. “Sheldon is great, he’s really enthusiastic,” lauded Green. “He’s very familiar with our kids and has a really dynamic style that works well with our story.”
Fans can meet Seth Green, Hugh Sterbakov and Sheldon Mitchell at the Top Cow Booth during San Diego Comic-Con, which takes place at the San Diego Convention Center July 24-27.
About Top Cow Productions Inc.
Top Cow Productions, Inc., a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, Witchblade, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series is set for release on DVD on July 29, 2008. Witchblade is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, The Darkness, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status.
Wanted, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is currently in production as a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, and Morgan Freeman and slated for wide release on June 27, 2008. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games, and roleplaying games.
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From his role as the as the unflappable werewolf Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer to his part in co-creating TV’s lo-fi nerd-satire Robot Chicken, Seth Green has almost effortlessly amassed an adoring fanbase. The actor hopes to expand on that niche appeal with his first directorial effort for the big screen, an upcoming adaptation of his popular comic book, The Freshmen. We spoke to the ever-amiable, indefatigable Green about tweaking the title for the big screen, seeking advice from George Lucas, and his upcoming cameos in Entourage and Heroes.
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