Your First Look at WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD #1 From BOOM! Studios

Posted on 08/03/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

 “A thing to provoke awe, fear, and wonder.” – Kieron Gillen, ‘Once & Future’

“Sign me the hell up.” – Jason Aaron, ‘Thor’

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 3, 2020) – BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD #1, a new sci-fi epic from Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk), Simone Di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) with color assistance by Mariasara Miotti and letters by AndWorld Design, about one man’s unrelenting quest throughout space to discover the truth—no matter where it takes him. Available in stores September 2, 2020.

Captain Malik and the crew of the Vihaan II harvest resources from the giant corpses of alien gods found on the edge of human space. While other autopsy ships race to salvage the meat, minerals, and metals that sustain the human race, Malik sees an opportunity to finally break free from this system by being the first to find a living god. But Malik’s obsession with the gods will push his crew into danger at the darkest reaches of space—unless the rogue agent on their trail can stop them first…

WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD #1 features main cover art by series artist Simone Di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and variant covers by fan favorite artists Toni Infante (Mega Man: Fully Charged, The Red Mother), Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom), Matías Bergara (Coda), and Jenny Frison (Something is Killing the Children).

WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; The Red Mother by Jeremy Haun and Danny Luckert; Alienated by Simon Spurrier and Chris Wildgoose; King of Nowhere by W. Maxwell Prince and Tyler Jenkins; Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; and Seven Secrets by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Joss Whedon’s Firefly from Greg Pak and Dan McDaid; Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David López; Angel from Bryan Edward Hill and Gleb Melnikov; and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Ryan Parrott and Daniele Di Nicuolo.

Print copies of WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD #1 will be available on September 2, 2020 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire. 

For continuing news on WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

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Kafka-inspired Metamorphosis has a Release Date and is Available for Preorder

Posted on 07/30/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
Prepare for the narrative adventure coming this summer to PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One

Krakow, Poland–July 29th, 2020. All in! Games has announced the release date for Metamorphosis, the narrative adventure inspired by Kafka’s curious imagination. Metamorphosis is set to release this summer on August 12 on PC (Steam and GOG), PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. The game is now available for preorder on Xbox One with a 10% discount. Additionally, a free demo will be available on Steam from July 29 to August 5.

Watch the official Release Date trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GjGd26Hho4&feature=youtu.be

Metamorphosis lets players experience:

  • A bug’s perspective in first person – see the world in a whole new way
  • Challenging environmental puzzles – do parkour, climb walls, search for clues, and overcome obstacles
  • Unique movement mechanics – make full use of your tiny body and sticky limbs
  • A story inspired by Kafka’s imagination – meet eccentric characters in a hand-painted world as you journey through surrealist landscapes towards The Tower

About Metamorphosis

Play as Gregor, a man who has morphed into a tiny insect, and set out on an extraordinary journey to unravel the mystery of your transformation. Metamorphosis is a first person adventure set in a surrealist world where your newfound abilities are your last and only hope for redemption.

Trailer:

Metamorphosis I Trailer

Wishlist on Steam:

Metamorphosis I Steam

Join the Discord server:

Metamorphosis I Discord

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Transformers / Back to the Future Comic Book Crossover Debuts from IDW Publishing

Posted on 07/24/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Join Marty McFly and the Autobots for the First-Ever Storyline Featuring Hasbro and NBCUniversal’s Newest Creation, Gigawatt!

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 22, 2020) – Two of the greatest science fiction franchises of the 1980s will collide this fall in an all-new comic book crossover event, Transformers / Back to the Future! Written by Cavan Scott (bestselling author and writer of IDW’s Star Wars Adventures) and illustrated by Juan Samu (Marvel Action: Black Panther), the four-issue miniseries will debut in October from IDW Publishing!

In the debut issue, Marty McFly returns from the adventure of a lifetime to a new, better Hill Valley… that is, until Marty and his friend Doc Brown’s time machine attracts the attention of the Decepticons. With one small mistake, Marty finds himself once again thrust into action to unravel a Decepticon plot in the past, present, and future… now with the help of a new converting time machine, the Autobot called Gigawatt!

“When I was asked to write the official crossover comic, I could only shout ‘Great Scott’ and dive in,” says writer Cavan Scott. “It’s the perfect fit. Both Transformers and Back to the Future are packed with adventure, humor, and (most importantly) heart. Plus, it gave me a chance to play with multiple Transformers timelines, harkening back to some of my favorite Transformers storylines of the ‘80s, while also bringing in elements of all three Back to the Future movies. Look out for classic characters, both human and Cybertronian, and a few surprises along the way!”

Artist Juan Samu says, “All my life I have waited for this moment! This amazing project, apart from being an authentic journey through time for me, has brought out my inner child in every scene. The Autobots, Decepticons, Marty, and Doc are so iconic that I feel super-excited to be able to draw them! Thanks to IDW, NBC Universal, and Hasbro for giving us this opportunity!”

“Transformers and Back to the Future have quite a bit in common,” says John Barber, Editor-in-Chief of IDW Publishing. “They’ve both inspired multiple generations of fans, they are both — at their heart — about characters and change, and they both have at least one really cool car. We’re extremely excited at IDW to get to bring these two worlds together!”

Transformers / Back to the Future #1 will be available with multiple cover variants for retailers and fans to enjoy, including Cover A by series artist Juan Samu, Cover B by Phil Murphy (Star Trek vs. Transformers), and two Retailer Incentive editions — one illustrated by Dan Schoening (Transformers / Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron) with the second featuring a photo of the hotly anticipated AUTOBOT GIGAWATT toy.

Timed perfectly with the announcement of the Transformers / Back to the Future miniseries, IDW Publishing is partnering with the Fleet Science Center of San Diego for “The Science of Back to the Future,” a discussion of science and science fiction hosted by Comic-Con International as part of their “Comic-Con@Home” programming schedule. Posting online on Thursday, 07/23/20, at 3:00pm, the panel will showcase Cavan Scott and Juan Samu as guests to discuss their work on the upcoming crossover, alongside panelists John Barber; Saura Naderi, Outreach Director at the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute at UC San Diego; Dr. Lisa Will, Fleet Science Center Resident Astronomer; and moderator Andrea Decker.

For information on how to acquire copies of the Transformers / Back to the Future comic books, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

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Contemporary Fairy Tale Adventure RöKI Launches on PC Today

Posted on 07/23/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
This modern adventure hides a few curious twists in story and gameplay.

Warsaw, Poland (July 23, 2020) — Polygon Treehouse and United Label are proud to officially launch Röki on PC today, opening the door to a beautiful game of adventure, courage, and folklore. Röki is available right now on Steam and GOG and will release on the Nintendo Switch in the near future.

Röki is the debut game from Polygon Treehouse, headed by Tom Jones and Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou. Here’s a message from Tom and Alex about their first launch as indies:

“For our debut indie title, we wanted to depart from the ‘shooty-shooty’ games we’d made at PlayStation and make the game about family, adventure, monsters, and kindness. When we started development three years ago the world was quite a different place, and we hope the game we’ve created and its themes are now more relevant and important than ever.”

Röki sets players off on a journey through a dark contemporary fairy tale inspired by Scandinavian folklore in the shoes of the heroine Tove, a young girl touched by magic. Players will unravel the mysteries of a mystical forest and its hidden pathways, find curious items, engage with strange creatures, and journey into Tove’s memories to directly confront her past as she attempts to save her family.

Röki Features

  • A 12-15 hour adventure with a modernized vision for the genre
  • Beautiful handcrafted graphics
  • Challenging, but not unforgiving gameplay
  • Seek out clues and drag and drop items into the environment to solve inter-linked, intuitive, and memorable puzzles.
  • Missing the right tool for a puzzle? Combine the unique items you’ve discovered during Tove’s journey to make new, useful items in a simple drag & drop craft system.

Open up Tove’s journal, where she makes note of the uncharted regions uncovered, the loot collected, and unique badges earned throughout. The journal also serves as a window into the rich Scandinavian folklore Röki is influenced by.

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IMAGE COMICS’ COMIC-CON@HOME PROGRAMMING

Posted on 07/21/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
PORTLAND, Ore. 07/21/2020 — Image Comics is pleased to participate in Comic-Con@Home—a virtual alternative to the usual San Diego Comic-Con festivities hosted by Comic-Con International in light of COVID-19. It will be held on July 22-26, 2020 at the Comic-Con website. Follow along and connect with the fandom when you use the official hashtag, #ComicConAtHome.

—PANELS SCHEDULE—
Comics as a conduit | Wednesday, 07/22/20, 4:00 PM  
Henry Barajas (LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO), Rodney Barnes (KILLADELPHIA), Darcy Van Poelgeest (LITTLE BIRD), and David F. Walker (BITTER ROOT) discuss comic books that tackle real world issues; be it environmental activism, civic engagement, physical and mental health awareness, and more, (including how their work is being used by librarians and educators). Audience members will leave with programming and acquisition ideas designed to inspire their readers to see the world differently and then change it for the better.

SYFY: untold tales of Todd McFarlane | Thursday, 07/23/20, 2:00 PM
Comic-Con wouldn’t be Comic-Con without Todd McFarlane—the innovative artist and entrepreneur who is the subject of the brand new SYFY WIRE documentary film, Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t. McFarlane is the creative mastermind behind SPAWN and some of Marvel Comics’ most famous characters, one of the founders of Image Comics and is known for (quite literally) breaking down barriers. To celebrate the documentary and these achievements, Marc Silvestri and J. Scott Campbell join McFarlane on a panel as they commend him on his contributions to the industry and have some fun roasting the man who essentially “raised hell” to get where he is today. For more information on the documentary, visit SYFY.com.

CROSSOVER spotlight | Thursday, 07/23/20, 5:00 PM
Bestselling creative powerhouse team Donny Cates (GOD COUNTRY, REDNECK), Geoff Shaw (GOD COUNTRY), Dee Cunniffe (REDNECK), and John J. Hill (NAILBITER) come together to announce what will be the biggest event of the year—CROSSOVER. Join us to get the exclusive scoop on this exciting new project.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes with UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY | Friday, 07/24/20, 12:00 PM
Join Scott Snyder, Charles Soule, and Giuseppe Camuncoli as they reveal the secrets behind the Eisner Award nominated, chart topping series out from Image Comics, UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY. Listen in as they share their story about the making of the series, anecdotes about the first story arc’s creative process, and hints at what’s to come. Moderated by series editor Will Dennis.

Comic-Con Robert Kirkman at home | Friday, 07/24/20, 4:00 PM
Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, FIRE POWER) shares his latest projects and answers your questions!

Legendary SPAWN creator Todd McFarlane talks toys, comics, and more! | Friday, 07/24/20, 4:00 PM
Host Jim Viscardi, executive editor of Comicbook.com and Todd McFarlane, SPAWN and Venom creator, McFarlane Toys’ CEO and president of Image Comics, talk about all your favorite geekdom things. McFarlane gives fans a sneak peek into the future of upcoming toys, comics, and what’s on his entertainment horizon.

Masters of storytelling | Saturday, 07/25/20, 1:00 PM  
Join the all-stars in storytelling from Image Comics—Ed Brubaker (PULP, CRUEL SUMMER), Chuck Brown (ON THE STUMP), Alex De Campi (DRACULA, MOTHERF**KER), Matt Fraction (ADVENTUREMAN), and Emma Kubert (INKBLOT)—as they reveal their secrets behind creating some of the best stories in comics. Moderator: Marla Eizik, Executive Assistant at Image Comics.

Creating memorable characters | Saturday, 07/25/20, 4:00 PM
What makes readers so attached to comics characters that they keep returning issue after issue to keep reading? Join Image Comics creators Dani (COFFIN BOUND), Jeff Lemire (GIDEON FALLS), David Walker (BITTER ROOT), Darcy Van Poelgeest (LITTLE BIRD), Kit Seaton (NORROWAY), and Johnnie Christmas (TARTARUS) as they discuss what (or who!) inspires some of the most beloved characters in comics. Moderator: Marla Eizik, Executive Assistant at Image Comics.

25th anniversary of Witchblade & beyond | Saturday, 07/25/20, 6:00 PM
Marc Silvestri (CEO) and Matt Hawkins (president & COO) remember the legendary WITCHBLADE sensation on her 25th anniversary—and showcase what’s to come from Top Cow Productions! Conversations with Colleen Doran (THE CLOCK), Stephanie Phillips (A MAN AMONG YE), and Stjepan Sejic (SUNSTONE) moderated by Henry Barajas (LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO, Director of Operations at Top Cow).

The craft of worldbuilding in comics | Sunday, 07/26/20, 12:00 PM  
Join Image Comics creators Kieron Gillen (LUDOCRATS, DIE), Stephanie Hands (DIE), W. Maxwell Prince (ICE CREAM MAN), Mirka Andolfo (MERCY), and Sanford Greene (BITTER ROOT) for a free-wheeling conversation on immersive, authentic worldbuilding technique in comics. Moderator: Marla Eizik, Executive Assistant at Image Comics.
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Chris Ryall Leaving IDW To Start New Publishing and Entertainment Venture Focused On Developing New Voices Alongside Industry Veterans

Posted on 07/21/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Chris Ryall Leaving IDW To Start New Publishing and Entertainment Venture Focused On Developing New Voices Alongside Industry Veterans

Transitions To Advisory Role At IDW Publishing

 

 

 

 

 

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 21, 2020) –IDW Publishing, a subsidiary of IDW Media Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK: IDWM), and Chris Ryall today jointly announced that Ryall is stepping down as President, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer to pursue new business opportunities.

“Change is often hard, and I will miss this extended family I have worked with for more than 15 years,” said Ryall. “In the past year alone, we brought on some amazing hires, expanded the scope of many of the departments, and re-focused the foundation of the business to best support the integrated multi-media company that IDW has become. Our collective success with the entertainment team on ‘Locke & Key’ has been a crowning moment for the entire company.  I’m so proud of this special place and the incredible people who work here. I know that I leave IDW perfectly poised for continued success.”

In partnership with Ashley Wood and many of the talented creators he has worked with at IDW, Ryall is launching a new storytelling venture focused on the disparate worlds and characters that he brought to life at IDW Publishing.

Although he is stepping aside from his current roles at IDW, he will continue as an Executive Producer on the Netflix series, “Locke & Key,” and remain the sole editor on any Locke & Key publishing ventures going forward.

“After the wonderful experience this past year serving as an Executive Producer on ‘Locke & Key’ and working with the amazingly creative team that brought the show to life, I look forward to bringing exciting new stories into the world through many different storytelling forms,” Ryall added. “I’m thrilled to be back working alongside Ashley Wood, as well as other creators to come, in developing interesting projects for our World of Syzygy venture.”

During Ryall’s tenure as President and Publisher, IDW Publishing signed a multi-year publishing initiative with the Smithsonian Institution, launched a major program to produce Spanish-language graphic novels for the North American market, transitioned its foreign book distribution business to Penguin Random House and led IDW Publishing to 15 prestigious Eisner Award nominations in 2020, the most of any publisher.

Ryall was one of the rare executives who not only produced comic books in his various capacities with the company, but also authored assorted projects, such as Zombies vs Robots, with artist Ashley Wood, in development at Sony Pictures. Perhaps the biggest mark he left on IDW was that of Chief Creative Officer, partnering across divisions to ensure that creators and stories were well cared for as they transitioned to entertainment.

Howard Jonas, IDW’s Chairman, said, “Chris has been instrumental in IDW Publishing’s success, and we thank him for the passion and commitment he brought to the company. We wish him all the best in his new ventures. With Chris’s departure, IDW will be restructuring and expanding its operations, and we will name a new management team very soon.”

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Arcadia Quest Welcomes Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo in All-New Hero Pack Expansion

Posted on 07/20/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
IDW Games’ BackerKit Promotion Launches Today

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 20, 2020) – IDW Games, in partnership with CMON Limited, is announcing today the launch of a BackerKit preorder campaign for Arcadia Quest: Usagi Yojimbo Hero Pack, an expansion to the popular adventure board game that incorporates characters from Stan Sakai’s beloved comic book, Usagi Yojimbo! The campaign will run from today through August 14th.

Wandering the world on a musha shugyõ (warrior’s pilgrimage) has brought Miyamoto Usagi across many bizarre situations, but none so strange as the dangers regularly encountered in the fabled city of Arcadia! Reunited with his companions, the rhino bounty hunter Gen and vixen thief Kitsune, Usagi must rescue the city from the vile Lord Fang and his monstrous forces.

“Wonderfully fun character designs in a wildly exciting adventure — I can’t wait to play it!” says Sakai.

The Usagi Yojimbo Hero Pack includes a Miniature Model and Character Card for each of the Usagi Yojimbo characters: Miyamoto Usagi, Murakami Gennosuke, and Kitsune. In Arcadia Quest gameplay, this assemblage of anthropomorphic Heroes forms a Guild, employed by a single player to compete against both monsters and opposing players for ultimate victory!

The iconic Usagi Yojimbo characters are designed in the chibi-style, perfectly matching the aesthetic of the Arcadia Quest game.

“CMON is honored to bring Stan Sakai’s iconic Usagi Yojimbo into the world of Arcadia Quest in our first-ever licensed character pack for the game,” says CMON’s Geoff Skinner, VP of Licensing. “Working closely with Stan and IDW was a dream, and we can’t wait to hear about all of Yojimbo’s Arcadian adventures from tabletops of fans!”

For the latest information on the BackerKit preorder campaign, please visit the campaign page at https://arcadiaquestusagiyojimbo.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders.

Posted in Art & Streetart, Comics | Comments Off on Arcadia Quest Welcomes Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo in All-New Hero Pack Expansion

Your First Look at THE ENCYCLOPEDIA LUMBERJANICA From BOOM! Studios 

Posted on 07/20/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

 Discover the Real Life Lumberjanes and Hardcore Lady-types Who Made History in September 2020

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Comic Con At Home: The Souvenir Book

Posted on 07/20/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

On Wednesday San Diego Comic Con aka Comic Con International begins its virtual 2020 version with an interactive map, panels on Facebook, and more.  It is free for anyone and everyone to attend and they have started the festivities early by making this years souvenir book a free PDF. This 200+ page tome has articles of Ray Bradbury, Harryhausen, Conan the Barbarian, Moomin and more plus tons of fan art, links, etc. Grab it today

https://comic-con.org/cciathome/comic-con-2020-souvenir-book

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Writer/Artist Nick Roche Reveals the True Terror of Parenting in SCARENTHOOD

Posted on 07/15/2020 by Pop-Culture Spectrum
While the Kids are at Preschool, the Ghost Hunting Begins in
IDW Publishing’s Spine-Chilling Four-Issue Comic Book Series!

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 15, 2020) – What would scare you the most: fighting demons… or letting your kids down? This Halloween, writer/artist Nick Roche (Transformers: The Wreckers Saga) dares to answer this troubling question in Scarenthood, a spine-chilling four-issue comic book series colored by Chris O’Halloran (Immortal Hulk) and debuting in October from IDW Publishing.

With their kids away on a field trip, a group of parents disturbs an ancient evil buried beneath the old Church Hall, unearthing a decades-old mystery about a missing child, and inviting something… hungry into their lives. Suddenly, their mornings go from playdates and peanut allergies to a battle for the souls of one broken family⁠ — and one child in particular.

“My generation grew up in what seemed like a haunted Ireland: superstition still abounded, and everyone had seen moving holy statues, or lived near a stately home that had been burnt to the ground in a Satanic visitation, or knew someone who chopped down a Faerie bush and lived to regret it,” says Roche. “Scarenthood is about realizing that some of those horrors from childhood are real, but nothing is more terrifying than ruining your own kid’s life. Also: there are funny bits.”

“I’m incredibly happy to be coloring Scarenthood,” says O’Halloran. “I’ve been an admirer of Nick’s work for a long time and working on a story set so close to home is a bit of rarity. The spookier elements are such fun to work on and getting those moments to hit right each time is a treat, but it’s the incredible character work by Nick, both as a writer and artist, that’s making this such a special project for me.”

“Through every project Nick Roche has done at IDW — Transformers, Monster Motors, and his cover work — he has brought an enthusiasm and viewpoint that greatly enriches the work,” says editor David Mariotte. “Having him and Chris O’Halloran bring Scarenthood to life (or afterlife as the case may be) here has been phenomenally exciting. They’re telling a story close to their hearts, which elevates the humor, the scares, and the quiet moments in an authentic and beautiful way.”

Scarenthood #1 will be available with two cover variations for retailers and fans to enjoy: Cover A by Nick Roche, and a Retailer Incentive edition by Declan Shalvey (Moon Knight).

For information on how to acquire copies of the Scarenthood comic books, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.
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