Join the Mystery Society

Starting in May, IDW Publishing, famed horror creator Steve Niles and renowned artist Fiona Staples invite fans to join the Mystery Society. The all-new, five-issue series introduces Nick Hammond and Anastasia Collins, who are the Mystery Society and bring new meaning to “underground cult” status. Each issue features a fun and sexy new adventure for this skullduggery duo, as they stealthily avoid the authorities while righting the wrongs committed in the dark recesses of the world’s underbellies.

“This book is a conspiracy-theorist cum monster-fan’s dream!” IDW Senior Editor Bob Schreck commented. “Steve and Ashley’s concept ‘Brundle-Flies’ Nick and Nora from The Thin Man with a sort of Scully and Mulder from the X-Files as this well-to-do duo run the gamut exposing the truth behind ‘real life’ conspiracies and all things that go bump in the night. And Fiona’s contribution is amazing as anyone who has seen her work will tell you. Best thing for us is… she’s bringing it to a whole new level with this series.”

Created by Niles and the legendary Ashley Wood, Mystery Society is a fast-paced, take-no-prisoners adventure series that is sure to delight fans from cover to cover. The series starts off with a bang, as Ana defends the Mystery Society’s secret headquarters, while Nick goes on a rescue mission that has him breaking into Area 51 for a bounty readers will have to see to believe! This first issue also features a cover by Wood, as well as a variant cover by Staples.


Mystery Society #1 (of 5, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in May. Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

Ducktales returns this June

One of the most action-packed Disney franchises returns to the comic page in a big way this summer from BOOM Kids! Mickey’s Mailbag has been overflowing with requests for a trip back to the world of The Disney Afternoon, and because the fans demanded it…DuckTales returns starting in UNCLE SCROOGE #392 this June.

The premiere of DuckTales in UNCLE SCROOGE #392 will appear on store shelves the same month as BOOM!’s new DARKWING DUCK mini-series that was announced this past weekend. “DuckTales is one of the most beloved television shows of the ‘90s,” said BOOM Kids! editor Aaron Sparrow. “It’s just spectacular to be bringing it back for a whole new generation to discover and enjoy!”

The fun begins in UNCLE SCROOGE #392, as BOOM Kids! kicks off the four-issue arc, “Like a Hurricane!” Fans of both the groundbreaking animated series and the classic Carl Barks comics it was based on will delight at the chance to get their hands on these stories, never before seen in the United States, that are coupled with some old favorites printed at the time of the original television series.

Non-stop adventure is what’s in store when Uncle Scrooge is accompanied by his nephews, plus the unpredictable Lauchpad McQuack! Add in some super-heroics from the amazing Gizmoduck, and you have a recipe for an epic good time!

The first Duck Tales arc starting in UNCLE SCROOGE #392 includes scripts by veteran Disney writers Paul Halas, Tom Anderson, Didier le Bornec, Chris Weber, Karen Willson, Doug Murray and Régis Maine with outstanding art by modern masters Xavier Vives Mateu, José Maria Carreras, Roberto Santillo, Cosme Quartieri, Wanda Gattino, and José Cardona Blasi.

UNCLE SCROOGE #392 contains the first installments of the “Like a Hurricane!” saga entitled “The Everlasting Coal” which is written by Paul Halas & Tom Anderson, with interior art by Xavier Vives Mateu. UNCLE SCROOGE #392 also includes the classic backup “The Littlest Gizmoduck” written by Chris Weber and Karen Willson with interiors by Roberto Santillo. This kick-off issue features two covers in a 50/50 split by Michel Nadorp and Magic Eye Studios and carries a cover price of $2.99 and ships this June.

For more information about BOOM! Studios please visit BoomStudios.com and for more information on Disney you can visit Disney.com.

IDW achieves Premier Publisher status

Diamond Comic Distributors and IDW Publishing announced today that IDW has become the first publisher to advance to “premier” status since the classification was implemented in 1996. Diamond and IDW have signed a new, multi-year agreement that features a number of fresh initiatives, including premier status, in recognition of IDW’s success as a top tier comic book and graphic novel publisher. Under the agreement, Diamond will continue to be the exclusive distributor of IDW comic books and graphic novels to the comic book specialty market, and to the bookstore market through its Diamond Book Distributors division.

“This change recognizes the growth and importance of IDW Publishing,” said Diamond President and CEO, Steve Geppi, “and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.” Diamond VP Purchasing Bill Schanes added, “Since IDW began publishing, they have grown consistently each and every year, while at the same time establishing one of the best editorial, marketing, and business teams in our industry. They’re easy to work with, understand our market, and are forging ahead with new strategies and plans to grow the consumer appetite for comics and graphic novels.”

In April, Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog and PREVIEWSworld.com website will showcase IDW’s new vendor status as the company moves to the “Premier Comics” section. IDW will have an exclusive section in the front of the catalog each month, highlighting their new offerings to comic shop retailers and customers.

“We are very pleased to have completed this groundbreaking agreement with Diamond,” said Ted Adams, CEO of IDW Publishing. “By combining Diamond’s leadership in distribution with IDW’s ten-plus years in developing, creating and marketing comic books and graphic novels, we have created an ideal relationship for each of our companies. The comic book medium is trending upward in all parts of consumer awareness and we are proud to be a partner with Diamond for the future.”

For more information about Diamond Comic Distributors please visit DiamondComics.com. For more information on IDW Publishing please visit IDWPublishing.com.

Shawn Says : New Releases March 17, 2010

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which books she is most excited about!

1) American Vampire #1

Features two all-new short stories illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque with first story written by Scott Snyder and the second written by Stephen King. I really dig the art on this book. Albuquerque was able to subtly change up his art to distinguish between the two stories. 

2) Jughead #200

I bet Jughead eats a hamburger in this issue.

3) Nation X #4

I open up the book and what is the first thing I see? An X-Factor story by Peter Milligan and Michael Allred featuring Doop. Sweet!

4) Krazy & Ignatz Tiger Tea HC

Perfect jumping on point for anyone interested in reading George Herriman’s Krazy Kat strip. This collects the longest running storyline and was originally collected by Raw Magazine in the 80s. From the sound of it this story is Krazy!

5) X-Factor Forever #1

This is a five part mini-series where Louise Simonson is picking up where her 1986 series left off. I have really been enjoying the mutant related one-shots and mini-serieses as of late. And I am a big fan of Simonson (and her husband) so I am looking forward to giving this a read!

BOOM Studios releases for March 17, 2010

28 DAYS LATER #8

Written by Michael Alan Nelson
Drawn by Declan Shalvey
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Covers by Tim Bradstreet & Sean Phillips

The conclusion of “Bend in the Road!” Selena and Clint thought they had an easy task ahead of them, or easy enough in a world where The Infected are around every corner. But now they’ve found a nasty surprise, one that can spell doom for their friend Derrick!

DIE HARD: YEAR ONE #7

Written by Howard Chaykin
Drawn by Gabriel Andrade Jr.
24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Covers by Dave Johnson & Joe Jusko & John Paul Leon

Det. John McClane has seen some nasty villains in his time. But this is a first. One of New York City’s most glamorous and beautiful women is causing trouble all across the city thanks to a blackout she engineered. Why would she create such mayhem? The answer will shock NYC’s newest detective! Join legendary industry creator Howard Chaykin in this new ongoing on a thrill ride that’s rung up over $1 billion in box office worldwide and become the gold standard for classic action! Yippee Ki Yay!

FARSCAPE #5

Written by Rockne S. O’Bannon & Keith DeCandido
Drawn by Will Sliney
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Covers by Joe Corroney & Will Sliney

The beginning of a new Farscape cracker, “Red Sky at Morning.” The crew of Moya take in all they’ve seen recently. Crichton, Aeryn and especially Chiana will never be the same. But soon it will be another member of the ship thrust into the harsh spotlight. They crew visits…Pilot’s homeworld. A don’t miss issue of the new ongoing FARSCAPE series written by the show creator Rockne S. O’Bannon!

IRREDEEMABLE #12

Written by Mark Waid
Drawn by Peter Krause & Diego Barreto
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Covers by Paul Azaceta & Dan Panosian

With Modeus at last revealed and standing by Plutonian’s side, the Paradigm–and the world–have no defense against Armageddon! But is this the end? Or only the beginning? A not to be missed issue of BOOM!’s bestselling apocalyptic superhero ongoing by multiple Eisner and Dollar Bin Award-winning KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE author Mark Waid.

MUPPET KING ARTHUR #3

Written by Paul Benjamin and Patrick Storck
Drawn by James Silvani
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (3 of 4), SRP: $2.99
Covers by David Peterson & James Silvani

The characters you love retell the legend you thought you knew, as King Arthur and his Muppets Of The Round Table set off on a quest to find the Holy Grail. A tale of swords, sorcery, frogs and bad one-liners as only the Muppets can tell it! Covers by David Petersen of MOUSE GUARD fame, James Silvani, and Amy Mebberson!

UNCLE SCROOGE #389

Written by Staff Di If
Drawn by Francesc Bargad Studio
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $2.99
Covers by Magic Eye Studios & Marco Rota

When one of Uncle Scrooge’s rivals, John D. Rockerduck, challenges Donald Duck’s favorite uncle to a penny-pinching contest that spans the globe, he says “Bring it on!” Hop in your hot air balloon with BOOM Kids! and follow Scrooge and the gang as they traiblaze on a budget in part 2 of “Around the World in 80 Bucks!”