Day: September 7, 2011

IDW Publishing Breaks Into iBooks!

This is big news for the comic industry! IDW has just announced a deal in which their content will be made available directly through Apple’s iBooks service, making them the first major comic publisher with such an offering . Previously IDW’s books were made available digitally through providers such as ComiXology and iVerse in which you could purchase individual issues as well as collections, or numerous standalone apps for various series and titles (as shown below) created to take advantage of iTunes’ search function.

A deal such as this could potentially open IDW to a larger audience than ever before with impulse buys via the “Featured” section of the program. Apple has built a reputation of being a king maker whenever it features anything in one of its commercials, be it song, movie or app, and I would love to see this record include comic books.

Imagine this; the next generation iPad commercial just started and there is the device against a solid white background. As the narrational finger swipes across the screen, highlighting the device’s various functions in sync with a reassuring voice over, we momentarily stop on the cover for True Blood: All Together Now via iBooks. As the commercial moves on half a second later that ever so brief screen time could potentially drive a large amount of customers to purchase the book for themselves. In a time when the industry is looking at ways to bring in new readers an official Apple nod might be just what we need.

 

IDW is currently focused on using this format to distribute longer-form graphic novels and collections with hopes of bringing in new readers in the same way book retailers such as Barnes and Noble has. While the release schedule for upcoming titles are not directly tied to when we may see them in comic shops, there are a few titles books as Code Word: Geronimo that will see day and date release on iBooks to maximize its exposure as IDW continues to look toward the future of the industry and how fan consumption will evolve.

If you are not an iBooks customer or do not own an iOS device then don’t worry. IDW will continue to work with technology partners on distribution for iOS and Android apps, Sony devices, Nokia devices as well as the web. Also, content will remain available for purchase through these methods and pricing will be as closely consistent as possible throughout all outlets. Just consider this as another way for you to get the stories that you love.

Check out the official press release below for more information!

IDW Graphic Novels Debut on Apple iBooks

First major comics publisher to offer iBook graphic novels and comics
for the iPad™, iPhone®, and iPod touch® !!

[iBook Shelf]Continuing to lead the charge of digital comics, IDW Publishing, a leader in digital comics, proudly debuted today the first large collection of comic and graphic novel titles ever available within Apple’s iBooks store. As the first major comics publisher to offer significant content, IDW’s initial iBooks entrée features nearly twenty complete graphic novels, including award-winning books and works by best selling prose authors.

This one-of-a-kind launch kicks off with CODE WORD: GERONIMO, which is launched simultaneously in iBooks and in print. An original graphic novel detailing the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound by SEAL Team 6, CODE WORD: GERONIMO is expertly written by military insider Captain Dale Dye (USMC, Ret.) and Dr. Julia Dye, Ph.D., and offers the amazing, moment-by-moment inside story of the clandestine raid that rid the world of this terrorist mastermind.

“IDW’s graphic novel line is a perfect fit for iBooks,” stated Jeff Webber, IDW’s director of ePublishing. “While our various comic storefront apps, such as IDW Comics, TRANSFORMERS Comics or Doctor Who Comics, are extremely popular with experienced comics readers and fans of those brands, having this significant presence in iBooks will help readers discover creators and titles, much the same as browsing in major book retail chains.”
[CodeWord: Geronimo]
IDW’s rich catalog of top prose authors and comics creators is especially suited for iBooks. Fans of IDW writers such as Joe Hill, Anne Rice, Max Brooks, Peter S. Beagle, or James Patterson can now find IDW graphic novels right next to their respective prose releases. Award-winning creators like Darwyn Cooke and his acclaimed  adaptations of Richard Stark’s Parker books and the first installment of the BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLETE LIBRARY are also included in IDW’s diverse iBooks line.

The IDW launch has something for all ages, from classics like Eric Shanower’s OZ series for younger audiences, and Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s best-selling LOCKE & KEY series for mature readers.

“Our internal technology team, led by Lorelei Bunjes, has put a huge effort into developing a great reading experience for iBooks,” Webber continued. “We’re very proud of the team’s efforts to create a quality experience.”

The initial lineup includes the following titles:
[Witch & Wizard]•    Code Word: Geronimo
•    Bloom County: The Complete Digital Library 1980-1981
•    Locke & Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
•    Locke & Key Vol. 2: Head Games
•    Locke & Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows
•    Locke & Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom
•    Parker: The Hunter
•    Parker: The Outfit
•    Star Trek: Movie Adaptation
•    Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation
•    The Last Unicorn
•    Little Adventures in Oz Vol. 1
•    Dead Space
•    Dragon Age
•    G.I. Joe: Hearts & Minds
•    Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland
•    The Murder of King Tut
•    True Blood Vol.1: All Together Now
•    The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

Experience SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY In Louisiana

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY, the acclaimed noir-inspired comic book miniseries written and drawn by Louisiana native Kody Chamberlain, will soon be collected into a complete trade paperback through Image Comics. Chamberlain’s gritty and richly illustrated series tells the story of a down-and-out detective trying to bring a killer to justice before his city and evidence are washed away by an impending storm. SWEETS is steeped in effortless local detail, recalling readers to the sights, sounds, and flavors of New Orleans.

While Chamberlain’s fans await the release of the new trade paperback collection, his work is being presented for the first time ever in a fine arts gallery setting at The Arcadiana Center for the Arts. The gallery exhibition is now open and available for viewing until October 1st, 2011. Arcadiana Center for the Arts will also host a release party and book signing for the trade paperback comic with Chamberlain on September 10th at 6pm.
Gallery details: 
Kody Chamberlain – Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story
The Acadiana Center for the Arts – Mallia Gallery
101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, LA 70501
337.233.7060 (phone), 337.233.7062 (fax)
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM –  5 PM
Admission: Members: Free; General: $5; Students & Seniors: $3;
17 & Younger: $2; 4 & Younger: Free
SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY TP (JUN110516, ISBN: 978-1-60706-413-8), a 136-page full color crime noir comic book, will be on sale for $14.99 in stores September 9. For more information about the work of Kody Chamberlain, visit http://www.kodychamberlain.blogspot.com/.
“Kody Chamberlain’s work in this exhibit transcends the genre of comic illustration with a depth of perspective and intensity of vision that can only be described as masterful,” said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, Executive Director, Acadiana Center for the Arts. “The chiseled technical detail of his work combines with solid psychological underpinnings to draw the viewer down the rabbit hole and lets us wander in strange and exciting landscapes.”
“This is a highly unique exhibit. I was able to install my entire miniseries, with lettering, in a gallery setting,” said Chamberlain. “The 117 pages of sequential story completely fills the space with only a half inch of wall between each page, the end result is a striking visual experience. This comic feels like it’s alive in that room.”
SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY,  was the winner of the 2011 Spinetingler Award in the category of Best Mystery/Crime Comic or Graphic Novel, and has also amassed an impressive list of positive reviews, including these:
“[Chamberlain]’s a one-man band, and the fact that this story read so well as a complete package is nothing short of amazing. …This kind of care and craftsmanship isn’t just art — it’s magic.” — David Pepose, Newsarama
“…a thrilling read that executes a stellar story with beautiful art… I have never possessed anything even closely resembling a sweet tooth, but the experience of reading this book was so palpable, I found myself wanting a good ol’ fashioned pecan praline after I was done.” — Joy Hog
“I enjoy the rare one man comic book trifecta that actually works out. 4/5 stars!” — The Daily BLAM! 
“Chamberlain is an impressive artist who captures New Orleans with such a sense of authenticity and accuracy that at any second you expect to see Ignatius Reilly pushing a hotdog cart through the French Quarter in the background of one of his panels.” — Shawn O’Rourke, Pop Matters
“…a cop drama for people who are sick of cop dramas. …SWEETS feels far more visceral and dark and somehow less like it’s mugging for the camera than the endless string of unrealistic cop-schlock shows that permeate the airwaves…” — Andy Grossberg, Tripwire Magazine
“…incredibly rendered” — Examiner.com
“A phenomenal graphic masterpiece.” — Comic Geek Speak

Hasbro & IDW Present MAGIC: THE GATHERING Comic Books

[Magic: The Gathering Cover]IDW Publishing and Hasbro, Inc. have announced yet another extension of the companies’ long-term relationship with an all-new comic book series based on the ground-breaking MAGIC: THE GATHERING trading card game (TCG). Under license from Hasbro, Inc., and in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, IDW will launch a new series entitled MAGIC: THE GATHERING this fall, the first comic series in more than a decade based on the many worlds of the hugely popular game. Adding to the rich stories are exclusive, playable, alternate-art cards for the MAGIC: THE GATHERING TCG, which will only be available through select issues of the IDW comics.

“Magic: The Gathering is an incredibly strong property which spawned a new entertainment category, and there is so much to be done creatively with comics,” says IDW’s Magic editor, Denton J. Tipton. “I’m really looking forward to telling new stories in the many worlds of Magic, which have been near and dear to my heart since the mid-90s.”

IDW Publishing and Hasbro subsidiary, Wizards of the Coast will work closely together to ensure the comics offer another layer of experience for MAGIC: THE GATHERING fans. The initial four-issue miniseries will focus on a unique, new Planeswalker, a powerful mage with the ability to travel between worlds in the Magic Multiverse. Many popular MAGIC: THE GATHERING characters will be featured in the series, as well.

This comic series is written by renowned author and game designer Matt Forbeck (The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game, Amortals, The Marvel Encyclopedia), who is joined by talented newcomer, artist Martín Cóccolo. Each comic book will also be collected at intervals into graphic novels. MAGIC: THE GATHERING will be distributed to a wide audience through comic-book outlets, trade bookstores, mass retailers, and digitally through a variety of platforms.

Marvel Comics Goes Back To Season One, Books Go Mainstream

SEASON ONE Trade Dress Revealed!

Get your first look at the new trade dress for the groundbreaking debut of Marvel: Season One! Kicking off in 2012 in comic shops and Disney Stores across the world, featuring a modern cover design,  fans can experience the Marvel Universe like never before with this new line of graphic novels. Complete with full stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, these graphic novels modernize the seminal origins of these characters while also offering new revelations for long-time fans.

The complete first wave of Season One graphic novels includes:

  • Fantastic Four: Season One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Stephen King’s The Stand, Television’s Glee) and David Marquez (Secret Warriors), on-sale in February 2012
  • X-Men: Season One by Dennis Hopeless (Legion Of Monsters, Lovestruck) and Jamie McKelvie (Generation Hope, Phonogram), on-sale in March 2012
  • Daredevil: Season One by Antony Johnston (Daredevil) and Wellinton Alves (Nova), on-sale in April 2012
  • Spider-Man: Season One by Cullen Bunn (Fear Itself: The Fearless, Sixth Gun) and Neil Edwards (Fantastic Four), on-sale in May 2012

It’s time to discover the world’s greatest super heroes all over again in Marvel: Season One!