November 20, 2006 -- This April, Michael Allred's pop classic MADMAN bolts back to stores from Image Comics! A modern masterpiece, MADMAN was Adult Swim before cartoons were cool. Now Image is taking the character to the next level with an all new series, and a hardcover collection of every MADMAN adventure! For Allred, it's a dream come true. ³From the first page I drew, I knew MADMAN was exactly what I wanted to do in comics. I¹m proud to be working with Image ­ the only company that really gets what creator freedom is all about ­ to bring Frank¹s stories back in the way I¹ve always wanted to show them!² First up in the MADMAN revival is MADMAN GARGANTUA! a mammoth 852-page, full color hardcover collecting every MADMAN tale from Madman, Madman Adventures, and Madman Comics in a single, oversized, handsomely produced volume. A must for lovers of Allred¹s unique brand of pop illustration, MADMAN GARGANTUA! is the holy grail! Launching immediately on the heels of MADMAN GARGANTUA! is the all new monthly series MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS! ³

Artistically, this is my best work ever,² Allred says. ³The first storyline is called Jumping Silent Cars That Sleep At Traffic Lights, and it will turn the Madman world upside down. It¹s designed so that new readers can jump on, but buckle up, because it¹s gonna be a strange and scary rollercoaster ride!² ³Image has always been the company designed by creators, for creators, and we¹re honored to welcome Mike aboard!² says Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. ³He¹s always had a great vision for his comics, and we¹re excited to be the ones to bring his vision out to the world.² MADMAN GARGANTUA! is scheduled for February release. MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS is scheduled for an April release. Full ordering information and product details will be announced in the February edition of Diamond Previews.

D I G I T A L W E B B I N G P R E S E N T S # 3 1

D I G I T A L W E B B I N G P R E S E N T S # 3 1
NEW DIRECTION! Imagine an anthology which drops mini-series right in its pages? Well, then you'd have the All-New, All-Different Digital Webbing Presents! The Fist of Justice takes over as lead feature for the next 4 issues in a row! But don't fret little comic book junkies! All your favorite creators and creations are still coming along for the ride.

The Fist of Justice adventure continues! Since his return, the Fist of Justice can't seem to catch a break. First he discovers he's been out of action for nearly 30 years and has so many questions that need answering. You'd think he'd be able to take a breather here, but nooooo, a giant Atlantian Battle Machine appears in Charm City and it's up to the Fist of Justice to protect its citizens. But what's this? Another one appears? Little does he know, it's actually the Last Paladin.
Written by Mike Imboden and Ian Ascher in their first collaboration. Illustrated by Yildiray Cinar, watch this guy, he's already signed to a series to be published under the Image Comics imprint. Colored by Mick Clausen. Cover by Cinar and Nuckols.

http://digitalwebbing.com/dwp/dwp31_preview.html

September 2006! By Niko Henrichon, Todd Klein, and BKV. Inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo in 2003, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD is a kind of modern-day Animal Farm set in the current Iraq War.This is easily the best project I've ever been a part of, and it's a 136-page hardcover for only 19 bucks. I'm just egotistical enough to believe that this will be flying off the shelves, so I hope you'll consider reserving a copy with your friendly neighborhood comic-book retailer (who you can find by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK). The book was "advance solicited" last month, but you should still be able to pre-order a copy at your shop today. Ask for it by name, or with this order code: JUN060255 For those of you wanting to learn more about the book, I talk to WIZARD MAGAZINE at length about the genesis of the project with co-creator Niko Henrichon, and chat with Douglas Wolk at PUBLISHERS WEEKLY about the book's themes. You can read our first online review by scrolling down to the bottom of THIS SITE. And on TALK OF THE NATION, host Neal Conan was cool enough to add Pride of Baghdad to his "Summer Reading Picks," right up there with The Collected Poems of Stanley Kunitz and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick.

http://www.arcanastudio.com/gallery/koniwaves

KONI WAVES introduces private detective Koni Kanawai, an ex-cop in Honolulu, Hawaii who worked her way through college as a dancer at the Apanapana Ballroom. When a drinking problem gets her booted from the force, Koni starts her own detective agency. With the aid of Pete – her surf buddy, Krystal – a colleague from her dancing days, and Huko – the owner of her favorite watering hole, Koni encounters a series of supernatural events that leads her to discover a dark side of her island not seen in the usual tourist spots.

http://www.arcanastudio.com/

http://digitalwebbing.com/bloodrayne/BR6_Preview.html

A new 3-issue mini-series brought to you by the creators of last year's BloodRayne hit; Lycan Rex! Story written by Troy Wall and penciled by Mark A. Robinson, colored by Dustin Yee at Hi-Fi Colour Design.
The entire world has found itself under attack by a mysterious force known only to the Brimstone Society as "The Plague of Dreams". From the skyscrapers of New York to beneath the streets of Seoul, follow Rayne as she tears a bloody path across the globe in pursuit of a mysterious new enemy. But is Rayne truly prepared for the shocking secret behind "The Plague of Dreams"?

Covers by Mark A. Robinson (Marvel's New Mutants and DC's Codename: Knockout) and Stacie Ponder (GI Joe) and colors by Dustin Yee (TeleDrones cover) and Blond (Video cover).
Offered with your choice of two covers -- ask your comic shop guy for both if you're a true fan! As always, each issue is jam-packed with story, art and bloody colors! And don't forget the behind-the-scenes commentary on the making of each issue with peeks at unused art, penciled sketches, insider commentary by the creative team themselves!

To Infinity!

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0606/08/moonstoneoct.htm

INFINITEENS #1

Written and art by Zeu.

War! Mankind is at the very brink of extinction as mindless Event Freaks, powerful humans infected by alien super particles, destroy everything in their wake.
And as the flames threaten to engulf the globe, hope is reborn anew in the tiny coastal village of Cape Ruseur, New England, where four childhood friends unite to turn the tide of destruction and fight for life and justice.
Infiniteens is a superhero saga about the end of the world. Infiniteens is a touching tale about human hearts and how the best in us can emerge in our darkest hour. For 8 chapters you´re invited to join Nadia, Luther, Julian and Beverly in a heroic struggle to save their tiny community from an apocalyptic threat.
32 pages, $3.50.

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

Love and Capes

Abby and Mark are a typical couple. At least, that’s what Abby thinks. Unknown to her, her boyfriend is not just an accountant, but also the super-powered crime-fighter, the Crusader. And, tonight, Mark’s going to let her in on the secret.
Abby always knew he was a good guy. She just didn’t know how good.
"Love and Capes" is a heroically super romantic comedy situation comedy in comic book form from Thom Zahler.
"I've always liked superheroes, and I've always liked romantic comedies," says Zahler. "It was kind of a peanut butter and jelly moment. The ideas just started flowing after that."
Zahler says that he was a fan of the cancelled "Lois and Clark" TV show. "It had its moments, for sure. But I found that I got bored whenever Superman showed up. Maybe it was that they didn't have a handle on the superhero elements, or that the effects budget always showed. But the Lois and Clark moments were great. A friend of mine and I decided the best episode ever would have been the two of them locked in an elevator, and he can't get out to change."
So "Love and Capes" is two characters in an elevator?
"Not exactly. But most of the actual super-heroics take place off-camera. I think it's important to treat the hero stuff seriously. I figure it's kind of like 'Friends'. Ross was a palentologist, but you rarely saw him palentogate, so to speak. So while Mark is the Crusader, you don't see him do super-heroics very often."

Can you write a whole super-hero book sans all the super-heroics?

"Absolutely. I figure a super-hero/average Joe (or JoAnn) relationship is like dating a rock star or a model. There's a lot of conflict between those two lifestyles. That conflict's the heart of the book. How do you deal with your boyfriend when he's walked on the moon without a spacesuit and dated Wonder Woman? And, conversely, how do you have a normal relationship when you might get called away to save the world? There's a lot of funny there. I intend to find it."

http://www.lulu.com/content/264000

Touch of Death
by Brian Kirsten

Keli's routine trip to the supermarket turns deadly as an unexplainable accident permanently ends a mugger's simple plan of destruction. Shaken and weary, she returns home with her new husband Michael. The next morning, Michael awakens to discover his new bride has vanished without a trace during the night. The pursuit begins with a cryptic message scrawled on their bathroom mirror. To find Keli, he must also discover what secrets she holds inside.

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=67432

FURIOUS FIST OF THE DRUNKEN MONKEY #1

Because every day that starts with a drunken monkey is a better day, Silent Devil has provided Newsarama with a five page preview of Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey: Origin of the Species #1 (of 3), due in stores in June.
The solicitation for the issue reads:
Diamond Order Code APR063334
Full Color
24 Pages
Story and Art by Rich Stahnke
Lettering by Kel Nuttall
SPR: $2.95

The Drunken Monkey returns in an all-new mini series! Chip, accompanied by his toad buddy Al, is about to find himself in one of his most difficult battles as he uncovers unknown truths about everyone close to him and secrets from his own past. But before that, he must defeat the pouch wearing, big gun toting nemesis known as Deathblud!

http://www.silentdevil.com/

http://www.generaljinjur.com/6928.html

What if you were forced to sacrifice the only thing in the universe that mattered to you in order to save the universe?

That is the difficult choice that faces Augie Halford, a dedicated husband and father, in the first issue of Charlatan. Evil forces have coalesced into a form that now threatens the future of all creation and as it has happened throughout the ages, a champion has been selected to defend the innocent against these forces. But that champion, the One Defender, has never been a human and as the otherworldly keepers of this ancient selection ritual are about to learn . . . humans often have a mind of their own.Charlatan is the first comic in General Jinjur's regular line-up and built around it, in the months to come, readers will find a lot of action, excitement, and pathos in a realm we call The Jinjurverse (the General herself insisted on the name). We don't want to give away too much about Charlatan yet, but rest assured this is one book that is not to be missed!

http://generaljinjur.typepad.com/

Los Angeles, CA: Silent Devil has entered into an agreement to publish Empty Chamber, a two-issue, action-espionage mini-series from A. David Lewis, Jason Copland and Caption Box. Empty Chamber centers on a conspiracy theorist and his mercenary protector; they are the country's only hope in stopping a renegade American general from committing a puzzling genocide - one without firing a bullet, releasing a bomb or shedding one drop of blood.



Empty Chamber features writer A. David Lewis (The Lone and Level Sands at Archaia Studios Press, Mortal Coils and Silent Devil's webcomic, Out of Sequence), artist Jason Copland (Hoarse and Buggy's Western Tales of Terror) and grayscales by Jennifer Rodgers (Buzzboy and The Lone and Level Sands). "After working with Jason on Mortal Coils, I brought the idea of Empty Chamber to Christian Beranek at Silent Devil. I wanted to do a project that was not only fun and exciting, but would appeal to the sort of broad audience that enjoys 24," says Lewis.

Silent Devil plans to release the first installment of Empty Chamber this fall. Visit Caption Box's website at http://www.captionbox.net/, Jason Copland's website at http://www.jasoncopland.com/ and Silent Devil's website at http://www.silentdevil.com/ for future updates on Empty Chamber.

http://www.godlandonline.com

GØDLAND is a fresh take on the "Cosmic Superhero Epic" made famous in the 1970s by some of the greatest creators in comic book history.

It follows the adventures of Commander Adam Archer, and his three sisters, as they all try to cope with the fantastic comics powers he possesed after a failed mission to Mars brought him in contact with the Cosmic Fetus Collective.

http://www.newsarama.com/Image/Godland/issue01/Godland01Pre.htm

http://www.vipercomics.com/features/emily_edison.asp

Emily Edison leads an action packed, double-dimensional life. Her dad is a super genius appliance repairman, who opened a portal with his nuclear powered vacuum cleaner. After stepping through it, he met, fell in love with, and married Emily's would be mother from another dimension. They had Emily and lived happily for a few years. However these interdimensional romances never last, and Emily's parents divorced.

Since then, Emily has divided her time between two worlds. Her hectic teenage life is becoming a blur - homework, slumber parties, unrequited crushes, school dances, and on top of all that: A jealous alternaverse grandfather, who hopes to bring her home by destroying the earth.
Reality hangs in peril, and Emily must use her other worldly powers to save the planet she calls home in the ultimate interdimensional custody battle.

http://www.eonprod.com/

"An intricate, compelling storyline and cool, exciting artwork pull you in and won't let go until the absolutely astounding first-issue climax! Eon is a top-of-the-line roller coaster of a comic and it will leave you breathless and panting for more! Brett Thompson and Freddie E. Williams II have created a wild superhero thriller that will... Blow. You. Away!"

--Brian Augustyn
writer: Beowulf (Speakeasy Comics)
Crimson & Out There (DC/Wildstorm)
http://www.eonprod.com/eon.html

http://www.heroicpub.com/

LIBERTY GIRL #0
In Stores May 6, 2006
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

She was America's angel of liberty. She was the bronze goddess of freedom. For more than a decade, during and after World War II, she fought the good fight, protecting our nation against the agents of tyranny. Now, out of the mists of time, half a century later, when the world needs her most, LIBERTY GIRL has returned, young, strong, and as vital and powerful as ever!

On Free Comic Book Day, May 6, 2006, visit your local comic book store and enjoy this special LIBERTY GIRL preview, brought to you by Dennis Mallonee, Dærick Gröss, and Jeff Brennan.
Also in this special issue, enjoy a riotous retelling of the classic prelude to Flare's first encounter with the savage Tigress, by Dennis Mallonee and Mark Propst.

Cover by Dærick Gröss
Colors by Mike Estlick
General audience
Standard comic book format;
32 pages plus covers
Retail Price: FREE
Printing at Lamp Post Publications
Delivery Date: April 10, 2006Street Date: May 6, 2006
UPC: N/A

http://www.heroicpub.com/previews/lg00.php?sid=060401WH6r

Wargod

As Curt Corey accepts his obligation to protect an ancient Egyptian artifact, he inadvertently begins an epic adventure that will decide his destiny and the fate of the planet. Wargod, the avenging son of Osiris, is resurrected and sent to Earth to continue his age old conflict with the nefarious god Sutekh and protect all of mankind from his impending evil. Wargod is our last hope...can he stop Sutekh and his army of soulless minions? Will the great beast Apep devour all of humanity?
One thing is for sure - the Gods are coming!
Created and Written by George T. Singley (Mutation, Shocking Gun Tales, Headcase) with Artwork by Freddie E. Williams II (Shocking Gun Tales, Chance of a Lifetime, Project EON), Wargod is an epic tale of betrayal, powerlust, and ultimately abolition.

http://freddieart.homeip.net

http://www.chimaerastudios.com/title.php?id=57

Title: Lonebow

Description: Dane Walker has inherited the mantle of protector of Hope City. Living off his family’s estate, Dane has grown tired of his privileged existence and seeks true adventure and justice wherever he can find it. As LONEBOW…his powers of uncanny aim and steelskin make him a single vigilante threat to abolish all crime…but will his methods make him that which he fights to destroy?


Written by George T. Singley (Mutation, Super Crazy TNT Blast!, Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales) with Artwork by Freddie E. Williams II (Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales, Chance of a Lifetime, Project EON) and Sean “Cheeks” Galloway (Wildguard, Hero@ Large, Teen Titans Go!).
Longbow slings its way to you by Chimaera Studios and Markosia Enterprises, LTD.

http://digitalwebbing.com/

E-Man, the energy being from outer space who makes his home on earth as a super-hero, returns to comics this September from Digital Webbing Press.

Created by Nicola Cuti and Joe Staton for Charlton Comics in 1973, E-Man has always been a fan favorite, marked by equal amounts of action, mystery and humor.E-Man enjoyed a 10 issue run with Charlton followed by 25 issues from First Comics in the 80's. Digital Webbing will release a one-shot E-Man this fall by series creators Cuti and Staton.

E-Man will be joined by his girlfriend, Nova Kane, who developed energy powers herself early in the initial Charlton series. The one-shot will also feature E-Man’s arch-enemy, The Brain from Sirius.“We’re pleased to bring E-Man back in all-new adventures. He’s always been a favorite character of mine,” said Ed Dukeshire, publisher of Digital Webbing Press. “And to have the original creators, Nick Cuti and Joe Staton, doing the honors is a real treat.”

In addition to E-Man, Cuti has written “Captain Cosmos, The Last Starveyer;” “Moonie, Moonchild the Starbabe;” and “Michael Mauser, Private Eye.”Staton, an Inkpot and Eisner Award winner, has drawn Batman, Green Lantern, Plastic Man and, currently, Scooby-Doo.

He served as Art Director at First Comics.

Digital Webbing entered the publishing arena in 2001 with “Digital Webbing Presents.” The anthology showcases a combination of aspiring and established talent. In addition to Digital Webbing Presents, DW Press publishes “Zombie Highway” and “BloodRayne,” based on the popular video game.The full-color E-Man one-shot will be solicited in the July issue of Previews for a September release.

http://freddieart.homeip.net/

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Freddie Williams II

Ever wonder what life might have been like if you'd chosen a different path? The Omega Effect can take you there!
Join Shilo Norman, Super Escape Artist, as he faces the ultimate challenge! The Life Trap is here, and the only way out is in a box. Can Mr. Miracle beat the odds that say death is 100% certain?
Find out in "Forever-Flavored Man" and prepare to witness…the Final Escape!A Soldier must die — will it be Mr. Miracle?

http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/StaggerLee/StaggerLeePre.htm

Image Comics and creators Derek McCulloch and Shepherd Hendrix
205 pg black and white OGN due out in May

The subject of the graphic novel, Stagger Lee, has also been the subject of many songs over the years, recorded by artists ranging from Lloyd Price (in 1959) to Wilson Pickett and the Grateful Dead.

The story of the songs and the upcoming graphic novel all deal with a St. Louis murder, committed on Christmas Eve 1895, where Lee Sheldon (aka “Stag” or “Stagger Lee”) shot Billy Lyons. The men were friends who had been drinking, and, depending on the source, began to argue over politics or gambling. Central to many versions of the story is the involvement of Lee’s hat – which Lyons reportedly took. When he refused to give it back, Lee shot him.

written by DEREK McCULLOCH art & cover by SHEPHERD HENDRIX
May 3 - 205 pg - BW - $17.99

On Christmas Eve 1895, shots rang out in a St. Louis barroom. A hundred years and a thousand songs later, this ordinary little murder had become a legend. This is the true story of what happened after Stagger Lee shot Billy.

http://www.devilsdue.net/killer7

killer 7 #1
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Artist: Bong Dazo (El Dazo)
Inker: n/a
Cover: Sanford Greene
Color: B&W
Pages: 32
Format:
Standard Comic
Price: $2.95
Diamond Order#: tba
UPC# 882142-00116-00101

Although most people know him for his work on the thriller Rex Mundi, Arvid Nelson is writing a very different kind of story with the Devil’s Due release of Killer 7. He told us what it was like adapting this video game for the sequential art form. Nelson said it wasn’t easy to describe this game. He compared it to a mix of Quentin Tarantino movies, Hong Kong blood operas, and things along that line. He said the game takes place in the present – but this present might not be one we’re familiar with. “The world is in the process of uniting under one government,” Nelson said. “To prevent terrorism, the new world order has banned air travel and use of the internet. Nuclear weapons are in the process of being dismantled - sounds kind of good… or kind of scary, depending on your point of view.”

”But there’s a threat to world peace, the Heaven’s Smiles,” he continued. “Heaven’s Smiles are living human bombs – they look like normal human beings, but they can ‘uncloak’ and reveal their hideous true forms – slavering, zombie-like drones with hideous smiles (hence the term Heaven’s Smile). Heaven’s Smiles cause mass death and destruction when they detonate themselves, and there’s no way to know who’s a Smile and who’s not until it’s too late. A group of assassins known as the ‘Killer 7’ are called in to deal with the problem, to find out where the Heaven’s Smiles are coming from. And that’s where it all begins.”Nelson said working on this project was very similar to the work he’s done with Rex Mundi in that both take place in worlds with alternate histories, involve political intrigue, and are “mystical detective stories.” He said, “The further I got into the game the more I thought ‘oh my God, I’m the perfect person to write this story!’”


When a volley of earth-shattering nuclear missiles are launched at Japan, it’s up to a group of assassins known as the killer 7 to stop the launch before Japan is reduced to an irradiated smear. The strike is linked to the Yakumo, a world-wide conspiracy responsible for a plague of zombie terrorists known as “Heaven’s Smiles”. The fate of millions of people hangs in the balance.

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

"I like the idea of working on a superhero character who predates Superman," Guinan said of his work with writer and Moonstone Books publisher Joe Gentile on the Phantom Law of the Jungle adventure.

He said the Ghost Who Walks is in a very different kind of story, one where the adventure is very "dreamlike or nightmarish" at times. He said it features a villain moved to action by one thought: revenge against the Phantom. That idea haunts him and drives him to seek out The Phantom and involve him in a very slick "cat-and-mouse game." Guinan said, "It's told from the perspective of the Phantom's adversary, who's hellbent on exacting revenge on him. It's flight or fight, kill or be killed and the Law of the Jungle doesn't just refer to the title, it's also the villain's rationale for his actions."


"I see Phantom Law of the Jungle as a fairly timeless tale," Guinan continued. "I deliberately avoided details that would fix it in any particular decade - in fact, I mixed things up a bit. Sharp-eyed readers will notice 1911 automatic handguns as well as what look like night-vision goggles. I’m using a technique called 'paintography', a blend of photography, painting, and drawing. It’s the same style I used for Heartbreakers Meet Boilerplate, the graphic novel I did with my wife, Anina Bennett, last year. The end result has few precedents, so there aren’t any direct influences. The black outline style that I use in the illustration is somewhat similar to Drew Struzan’s style. He did the Star Wars movie posters, among many others. My favorite Phantom imagery is from the covers for the 1960s Gold Key comics. That was the end of the era of great pulp-style painted covers. They were a sort of visual jumping-off point for me. But I tried to give my version a classic, timeless look, so it’s not tied to a specific period."

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/phantom.asp

http://www.reyyy.com/sharknife/

YO YO! My name is Ceasar Hallelujah and I'm a busboy at a restaurant called the Guangdong Factory. When needed, I can use the power of magical fortune cookies baked by my girl friend (not girlfriend!) Chieko Momuza to turn into the pivot-posing red rocket ninja robot Sharknife!!!!!Why would I want to do that? Because!
This mean yakuza guy by the name of Ombra Ravenga stuck monsters in our WALLS! So now wheneverthey get too big, they jump out and assault our customers! I'm not about to sit around while a gang of mutated crabs attempt to eat all our patron's pineapples!!!!!!

www.onipress.com

www.nighttrippers.com

NIGHT TRIPPERS GN PREVIEW
By MARK RICKETTS

I was rolling my cart down a supermarket aisle around eleven PM when the sound of Petula Clark's "Don't Sleep in the Subway" suddenly turned into Pink Floyd's psychedelic classic "See Emily Play." It seemed kind of creepy to be shopping for milk while this perverse, mind-bending sonic oddity wafted through the near empty store. Earlier that night I had considered writing a story about vampires in medieval England, but while listening to that distorted organ, sped-up piano, and whimsical lyric it hit me that I should place my vampire tale in that time when color, fashion, music, sexual revolution, and social changeexploded on one crazy scene-- 1960s swinging London.

Think about it: Vampires tripping on acid! Vampires in mini-skirts dancing in cages! Vampires infiltrating the music industry to control the minds of young and impressionable human livestock!

At first, I started musing on a Mod vampire riding a tricked-out Vespa from scene-to-scene, club to club, searching for kicks and victims. But there was something a little too Austin Powers about that approach. I decided to delve deeper into that period, and was particularly drawn to movers and shakers like Brian Epstein (the man who gave the world a little musical group called The Beatles) and Justin de Villeneuve (the man who made skinny fashionable by introducing the world to Twiggy).

That's when I decided to focus the story on a young ingénue named Dot and the ancient, megalomaniacal, yet trendy vampire who would transform her into a pop icon. For months, I completely immersed myself in the music, the fashion, the art, and the films of that time. And once I'd written the first couple of chapters, I felt I'd really hit upon something. It was the right combination of ultra-violet and ultra-violence... I just needed an artist who could reconcile Mod fashion with Gothic horror.

That's when a friend of mine, Matt Anderson, introduced me to Micah Farritor. Micah had just finished working on "The Living and the Dead" with writers Bob Tinnell and Todd Livingston and was looking for his next project. The timing was right, the moon was in the seventh house, Jupiter collided with Mars, and though it may not have been the Age of Aquarius, Micah agreed to join the happening.While lettering the first collection of Micah's illustrations, I only listened to music from the 60s--the more hallucinatory the better. Inspired by all this trippy pop, I decided to approach my friend Ellis Clark of the band Epicycle about contributing music to a Night Trippers podcast. Ellis not only gave his blessing for me to use a track from Epicycle's 2002 album "Swirl", but also volunteered to create new music based on lyrics I'd created for the book.

Then when John Suintres, the interviewer from the comic book oriented website wordballoon.com, joined me for a fictional interview the podcast really came together in a fusion of music and fantasy. You can download this aural extension to the Night Trippers graphic novel at our website http://www.nighttrippers.com/ or at iTunes here.

In May, the 184 page graphic novel Night Trippers hits the stands at a retail price of $16.99. Don't forget to order an advance copy from the March 2006 Previews catalog. Tune in, turn on, and fang out!

http://www.bluewaterprod.com/judo.htm

Judo Girl is a woman on a mission: after having spent 40 years in suspension animation, she searches for her missing brother, Judo Boy. However, her arch-enemy, the diabolical Captain Steel, hasn't spent the last four decades collecting rust. Indeed, his awful plans are about to solidify on a worldwide scale! Central to these evil schemes is the implacable Judo-Bot, whose ultra-modern features completely outclass and overwhelm our time-tossed hipster. However, her arch-enemy, the diabolical Captain Steel, hasn't spent the last four decades collecting rust.

http://www.templesmitharts.com/faze2/

Detective Richard Fell is transferred over the bridge from the big city to Snowtown, a feral district whose police roster numbers three-and-a-half people (one detective has no legs). Dumped in this collapsing urban trashzone, Richard Fell is starting all over again. In a place where nothing seems to make any sense, Fell clings to the one thing he knows to be true: Everybody's hiding something. Even him.

http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Fell/Fell01Issue.htm

http://www.strangersinparadise.com/sipindex.html

Strangers in Paradise is a wonderfully realistic comic book brought to life by the enormous talent of its writer/artist, Terry Moore. This Eisner Award winning comic series chronicles the life of Katina Choovanski, affectionately known as Katchoo to her friends. She is the picture of perfection, a beautiful face with a gorgeous body. But that pretty face hides a sharp mind and a keen wit, not to mention enough secrets to astound the CIA.

A hardcase with a hard attitude, Katchoo only has two weaknesses:

The first is for David, a close friend with connections to her dark and dangerous past. He loves her completely, and would give anything to have her, but it is a love that Katchoo does not share. Sometimes warm and often adversarial, their relationship is something she is hardpressed to define. But regardless of her confusion over it, David's friendship is something that Katchoo has come to count on and need.

Her second, and most powerful, weakness is for her best friend, Francine, the woman who holds the strings to her heart
Francine is a wonderfully naive young girl, who has believed for most of her life that happiness meant having a man to love her. Riddled with self doubt and insecurities, she usually finds herself struggling with the way the world sees her. Deemed imperfect by most and raised in an overly conservative environment, she has a hard time accepting Katchoo's love for her, and an even harder time turning away from it.

Strangers In Paradise (SIP) is the story of three friends, Francine, Katchoo and David and the people they fall in and out of love with. It's a tale of dark pasts and hopeful futures, double-crosses and true friendship, love and hate. In other words: it's a story of real life, kicked up a notch.


The highly acclaimed ongoing comic book series, Strangers In Paradise, was created by Terry Moore in 1993 and the continuing story is published every six weeks. SIP has been awarded numerous industry awards including the 2003 Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Arts, a 2002 YALSA/ALA selection for Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, the GLAAD Media Award for Best Comic Book in 2000, and the 1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Serialized Story.

SIP is published in eight languages around the world including English, French, German, Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1892597055/104-4843906-9037524?v=glance&n=283155

http://www.moonstonebooks.com

A team of brilliant scientists have unwittingly unlocked the secret to eternal life. There's just one catch, you have to die first.

Vengeance of the Mummy!

Scientist Jenna Andersen is no longer alive, but she’s not quite dead either. Once the member of a three-person research team whose nanotech bandages held the promise of regenerating dead cells, she hunts relentlessly for the man who killed her and her fiancé.
Out of the shattered remains of her previous life, Jenna is reborn at an unimaginable price. She is now an emotionless, undead monstrosity who will stop at nothing to avenge herself.
Death's a bitch.

By: Justin Gray & Eliseu Gouvia-Zeu, with covers by Kalman Androzofsky
32 pgs, b/w, $2.95


http://www.moonstonebooks.com/mummy.asp

http://www.chimaerastudios.com.

The Magnate has come to Earth for one thing…Power. The Earths mightiest heroes unite to try and defeat this intergalactic menace and stop him before he takes over the planet. There’s one more problem…all of Earth’s villains have joined the Magnate and his minions in the quest for global power. Can Earth’s heroes survive the ultimate super hero Alamo?

Written by George T. (Mutation, Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales) Singley and Jim (Chance of a Lifetime) Mitchel with Artwork by Tim (Wildguard, Hell) Kane. Super Crazy TNT Blast! explodes it’s way to you monthly by Chimaera Studios and Speakeasy Comics.

http://www.chimaerastudios.com.

http://www.silentdevil.com

Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey: Origin of the Species #1 (of 3)
Full Color 24 Pages
Story and Art by Rich Stahnke
Lettering by Kel Nuttall

SPR: $2.95

Description:
The Drunken Monkey returns in an all-new mini series from Silent Devil. Chip, accompanied by his toad buddy Al, is about to find himself in one of his most difficult battles as he uncovers unknown truths about everyone close to him and secrets from his own past. But before that, he must defeat the pouch wearing, big gun toting nemesis known as Deathblud!

http://www.silentdevil.com/furious-fist-of-the-drunken-monkey.php

http://www.pandaystudio.com

Joe Doogan: Zombie Hunter, Like, Totally Goes to High School in Digital Webbing Presents #28


The world's most famous zombie hunter goes back to High School and cleans up an outbreak of zombies at Pomegranate High School in the Oakland suburbs. Dario Carrasco's and Aaron Thomas Nelson's satirical horror comic "Joe Doogan: Zombie Hunter" makes its second appearance in the comic book anthology Digital Webbing Presents #28. In the short story "Clique! Yer Dead!" Joe Doogan goes toe-to-toe with some jock and cheerleader zombies who have overrun the school.

As Australia's most famous zombie hunter, Joe Doogan hosts a reality television show called "Undead Zone" that documents his exploits as a zombie hunter and, further, educates the public about the dangers of zombies. "Joe's the kind of guy who'll jump in head first and wonder about the depth of the pool later," says co-creator Dario Carrasco, artist on such notable projects as Darkhorse's Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, Star Wars: Jedi Academy, as well as Marvel's Alpha Flight, Night Thrasher, and Captain America. "And let's face it, High School and zombies taste great together--like peanut butter and chocolate," chimed in co-creator and writer Aaron Thomas Nelson.

"Clique! Yer Dead!" is written by Aaron Thomas Nelson, and illustrated by Dario Carrasco. The comic was inked by TG Sangalang, colored by Rich Hiltbrunner and lettered by Matty Ryan. Other Joe Doogan stories are slated to appear in Just A Buck Comics, and an anthology due out in 2006, which will introduce other members of the International Fellowship of Zombie Hunters. Find out more at Digital Webbing ( http://www.digitalwebbing.com ) and Panday Studio ( http://www.pandaystudio.com/index_temp.php ). Digital Webbing Presents #28 (32 pages, full color cover and interiors, $3.99 US) is solicited in January's PREVIEWS (JAN06 3008) for a March release.

http://www.the-black-coat.com/

The Story…It is April in the year 1775. War is only weeks away - maybe even days. The British know it and so do the members of the newly formed colonial Continental Congress. Only through the use of a vast network of spies can either side hope to keep one step ahead of the other. Nowhere is this struggle more intense than in New York City, the bustling headquarters for all of Britain's activities in the colonies. Like Berlin during the height of the Cold War, New York is a city of pivotal importance. It is a place where colonists and those loyal to the crown are equally represented and an uneasy tension fills the air.

In the last several weeks, the British have become desperate to maintain their control over the colonies and have secretly enlisted the services of a powerful and mysterious group of individuals who call themselves ‘The League.' Unbeknownst to the British, the League is a maniacal and treacherous organization whose members possess dangerous supernatural powers that threaten to bring chaos to the land and ultimately destroy the colonies themselves.

Nathaniel Finch is a budding scientist, a successful business man, and the editor of a weekly newspaper in New York City. An exceptionally intelligent and hard working man, Nathaniel could easily have found himself to be one of the most influential men in the Colonies, knee deep in politics, along side men like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin. But as much as Nathaniel might be tempted to lead what some would call an 'ordinary life', he has a different set of priorities. Perhaps better than anyone, he knows that there are things in this world – mysterious, unexplainable, deadly things - that represent more of a threat to life and liberty than taxation without representation.

To combat these threats and to keep those around him safe, Nathaniel Finch has become the masked spy known as The Black Coat. Even as a revolutionary war is burgeoning around him, The Black Coat, assisted by a network of agents, fights another kind of war - a war unseen by most men. His determination, skill, and wits are his only defenses against ancient curses, mythical creatures, and enchanted science.

The Black Coat faces his greatest challenge in the form of The League. All of his intelligence, all of his strength, all of his courage will be put to the test in a battle for the survival of not just him and his men, but for a new nation!

http://www.the-black-coat.com/sample.htm

http://www.narwain.com/

NEPTUNE

Palmiotti and Gray's NEPTUNE Rises
New superhero thriller graphic novel debuts in March from Narwain

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have been blazing a trail through mainstream comics with acclaimed titles as Jonah Hex, Hawkman, Daughters of the Dragon, and Monolith. Now, Narwain is pleased to introduce the world to their creator-owned epic graphic novel Neptune.The delicate treaty between surface world and the submerged city of Atlantis is jeopardized when a super villain terrorist tries to launch a war that will bring him power over the earth. One man, possessing the power of the god Neptune, must stop him.With artwork by Wellington Dias (C.S.I.), Neptune features political intrigue, super villains, terrorists, spies, giant sea monsters, strange new sciences and a lawless border town in the middle of the ocean.

Neptune is an alternative to the continuity-heavy crossovers going on everywhere. "It's a book with a beginning, middle and end. You can just pick it up and read it. A retailer can keep it on the rack all year round."Palmiotti said he's happy to be working with Narwain on the project for a number of reasons. "We're very excited that Narwain has let us create something from scratch and be totally involved with ever aspect of the book. Also, Narwain is launching this in several markets around the world simultaneously which is a big plus."Neptune features 48 full-color pages for a cover price of $5.99.

The graphic novel is slated for release in March and can be found in the current Diamond Previews catalog.

http://mfe.homestead.com/03a_Monkey1024.html

Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey #1
Review by Christopher T. Peel

Published by Imperium Comics

Being a writer for a superhero spoof comic book myself I'm always on the look out for new humor titles. When I first saw this one it caught my eye but I put it back on the shelf thinking it was some kind of martial art spoof and no one makes fun of kung fu. What the hell was I thinking? I must have had malaria that day or something.

I finally picked up a copy a few weeks later only to realize that it had nothing to do with martial arts and that Rich Stahnke can bring the funny. The story starts with the drunken monkey himself, Chip, getting fired from his job at Wonderburger for offering a special item, not on the menu, to a customer with huge tracks of land. While Chip is walking home a UFO crash lands in front him. Chip finds a dying alien, named Lla-Mont, who is trying to warn him about the Warlords and about the power of his ring. Chip takes Lla-Mont's ring (sound familiar?) as he lays there saying "something about the power company." Chip's best friend, a talking toad named Al, accompanies him on his misadventures. Al, a scientist caught in a radioactive blast that put his brain into the body of a toad he was trying to save, is the brains behind the duo. After a rude awakening stolen from a scene in Happy Gilmore (some say stolen, I say homage) they stumble on the villainous Gene Gnome, a garden gnome with a penchant toward world domination, and his Homo-Animals, (yes, Homo-Animals) "the best of both man and beast" reeking havoc in downtown Bigg City.

During the m'lée the ring turns into a gauntlet giving Chip super-simian powers. And just when you think the day is saved, Peep-Peep, warlord of the Woo-Woo, shows up with what my dad would've called a mean on hungry. The art is nothing spectacular but fits well with the genre. It's Rich Stahnke's writing that really stands out. Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey is originality blended with predictable tripe, the essential combination of any good spoof. Included in the book is some filler material consisting of three, equally funny, single-page stories and a background on the creation of the character. This book has it all from spoofs of Green Lantern, The Hulk, and The X-Men to obscure Simpsons references. And with villains like the Gene Gnome, and Peep-Peep, warlord of the Woo-Woo, this one has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

http://imperiumcomics.homestead.com/purchase.html

http://www.severemagazine.com/model.asp

THE EPIC EZRA SEARCH
http://www.arcanastudio.com/

So you think you have what it takes to make it as a model, but – what about as a super heroine?
Arcana Studios is in search of a living, breathing Ezra, but who’s Ezra you ask? As the title character of the popular comic book series by the same name, Ezra is a sexy medieval mercenary for hire, and she could be YOU!
The winner of the Epic Ezra Search will receive:
The opportunity to appear as Ezra on the cover of the upcoming comic, “Ezra vs. 10th Muse.” You will be photographed with and appear alongside of 10th Muse Cindy Margolis, the most downloaded model ever. “Ezra vs. 10th Muse” is the crossover event of 2006 and will be distributed in eight different countries.
A featured spread in an upcoming issue of Severe Magazine.

Consideration for the role of Ezra in the film adaptation.

Exposure to various industry agencies and film studios.

So, if you think you have what it takes to be crowned the real life Ezra, fill out the entry form and make sure to submit at least two photos for consideration. Finalists will be chosen and then posted on the Severe Magazine web site. The grand prizewinner will be decided upon by viewer votes.

Submissions must be received by 01/31/2006 to be considered.

http://www.aspcomics.com/mouse_guard_preview.html

In Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world's harsh conditions and predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed. They are not simply soldiers that fight off intruders; rather, they are guides for commonmice looking to journey without confrontation from one hidden mouse village to another. The Guard patrol borders, find safeways and paths through dangerous territories and treacherous terrain, watch weather patterns, and keep the mouse territories free of predatory infestation. They do so with fearless dedication so that they might not just exist, but truly live. In this first issue of Mouse Guard, Saxon, Kenzie, & Lieam are dispatched to find a missing merchant mouse that never arrived at his destination. In doing so they stumble onto much more than they had bargained for.

http://www.aspcomics.com/index.html

http://ouchclub.com/decks.html

Annie Owens, creator of Ouch Club, did some of the creepiest damn snowboarding decks I have ever seen.

A very talented artist, you can see more of her work at http://ouchclub.com

http://www.lastpaladin.com/

Here's the cover for Digital Webbing Presents #20 - the first appearance of The Last Paladin.Art by Mahmud Asrar - Colors by Matt Webb - Logo by Scott LeMein

The Last Paladin, a supernatural action-adventure seen in the pages of Digital Webbing Presents.What is Digital Webbing Presents you ask? It's probably in all honesty the best kept secret in comics. Take a moment and check it out at http://digitalwebbing.com/comics/

- Excerpts from the website www.lastpaladin.com

http://www.fistofjustice.com/

http://www.runemasterstudios.com

A child’s instinctual need for the comfort of a stuffed animal is rooted in a reality long forgotten by the adult world. The hidden truth is that these companions have been defending children since the dawn of time. Follow young Joey on the adventure of a lifetime as he travels through the Stuffed Animal Kingdom, a journey that puts the fate of all the world's children in his hands and brings him face to face with his destiny.

CREATED and WRITTEN by MIKE BULLOCK
ARTWORK by JACK LAWRENCE
LETTERED by DAVE LANPHEAR
EDITED by RON MARZ

How many nights have you lain awake wondering if the monsters you imagine inhabiting your closet or lurking beneath your bed are real? How many hours pass in the night while your sleepless mind creates terrifying images of what lies just beyond your field of vision... out there, in the dark? How many minutes have gone by while you wait in fear, dreading the noise you thought you heard? How many seconds have pounded in your heart, as your imagination runs away to conjure the Beasties?


For those of you who ponder those questions lay down your fear, for the denizens of the Stuffed Animal Kingdom are on patrol, marshalling their forces and guarding your dreams.

http://www.runemasterstudios.com/ltb.php