IDW announces new Archie collections for 2010

Get ready for a summer of fun! Starting in May 2010, IDW Publishing will begin its extraordinary series of important Archie collections, offering fans an incredible range of must-have hard covers and trade paperbacks. Archie: The Best of Dan DeCarlo Volume One kicks things off in May by gathering the very best of this seminal Archie artist in one book, followed by Archie: The Classic Newspaper Comics Volume One, a hardcover collection of strips from the 1940’s, in June. In July, true Archie fans will be delighted by a trade paperback of Archie: Pureheart the Powerful.

Coming of age in post-World War II America, Archie captured the hearts of generations of children and adults. Archie and his friends remain hugely popular today, appealing to comic fans new and old with a blend of timeless stories and classic Americana style. “Archie is one of the most influential comics on popular culture and we are really looking forward to starting our collections by offering these new books to fans,” said Greg Goldstein, IDW’s chief operating officer. “Each book offers a new and different way for fans to enjoy or even rediscover this classic comic, with many more to come.”

The dean of Archie artists, Dan DeCarlo spent nearly 50 years with the characters of Riverdale High, drawing every character at one time or another. Archie: The Best of Dan DeCarlo Volume One contains dozens of stories handpicked by DeCarlo connoisseurs, all shot from original art and recolored to match the flavor of the original publishing. The Best of Dan DeCarlo is the first in IDW’s Archie “Best Of” series, which will grow to include collections for Bob Montana and Stan Goldberg, among others.

Archie: The Classic Newspaper Comics Volume One will be published under IDW’s Library of American Comics imprint and designed by Eisner Award-winner Dean Mullaney. Volume One reprints the earliest strips starting from 1946-48, many strips for the first time, and showcases the unheralded genius of Montana as he developed the lovable characters.

Archie: Pureheart the Powerful collects, at long last, the short-lived yet much-loved Archie superhero parody stories that first appeared during the “camp craze” of the mid 1960’s. With the coming Archie Comics new Pureheart the Powerful, IDW’s reprint collection is the perfect way for fans to rediscover the original characters.

Archie: The Best of Dan DeCarlo, Volume One will be available in stores in May 2010. Archie: The Classic Newspaper Comics, Volume One will be available in stores in June 2010. Archie: Pureheart the Powerful will be available in stores in July 2010. For more information on Archie Comics please visit ArchieComics.com and for more on these and other great releases please visit IDWPublishing.com.

George Perez covers Blackest Night Titans #3

The third issue of this mini-series tying into DC’s big Blackest Night crossover is in stores today. I have not been reading this series or most of the Blackest Night tie-ins, so I can’t really preview the contents on the inside like the folks at IGN have. But this post isn’t about the story it is about the awesome variant cover by George Perez.

For this variant Perez makes an homage to a previous Titans cover that he crafted way back in 1983 during one of my favorite runs ever in comics the Wolfman/Perez era of the New Teen Titans. And since this is George Perez we are talking about, he does an awesome job. I am really not one to usually consider buying a comic just for a cover but…

IDW releases for October 28, 2009

GI JOE: COBRA TPB

Christos Gage, Mike Costa (w) Antonio Fuso (a)

G.I. JOE has an enemy. But until now, that enemy has remained hidden. Join undercover agent Chuckles on his descent into the world of COBRA. His mission is to obtain valuable intel for the G.I. JOE team, but he just might sacrifice his soul to do it. This volume collects issues #1-5, plus the 5-page prequel, as well as the Xamot and Tomax follow-up!

Jennifer Love Hewitts Music Box #1

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Scott Lobdell (w) Michael Gaydos (a & c)

In this exciting new horror anthology in the vein of Twilight Zone and Outer Limits, series creator and megastar Jennifer Love Hewitt has enlisted two-time Wizard award-winning writer Scott Lobdell to help her tell pulse -pounding, fear inducing stories about a haunted music box and those it possesses! The first person to come across the mysterious music box-its age and origin forever shrouded in mystery-is a New York City forensic scientist who yearns for the ability to stop crimes before they happen. The music box grants him his wish, but like a melodic monkey’s paw, it comes at a price he could not possibly have imagined!

The Obama Story

This generation’s inspirational leader has captured the world’s attention. This is the moving story of how President Barack Obama began as a timid child, discovered his identity and grew to become a world leader. The Obama Story is the story of America’s 44th President in graphic novel manhwa form. Young readers, aged 8-12, can follow along with the future president as he fends off bullies, excels at school and even makes friends with Tata a surprise that awaits him in Indonesia!

Transformers All Hail Megatron TPB V3

IDW’s one-shots focusing on the most celebrated TRANSFORMERS characters continue in this latest collection of Spotlights. This time around, see how and why Blurr, Jazz, Drift, Cliffjumper, and Metroplex fit into the Transformers universe and the events of All Hail Megatron.

BOOM Studios releases for October 28, 2009

DIE HARD: YEAR ONE #2

Written by Howard Chaykin
Drawn by Stephen Thompson
Covers by Dave Johnson & Jock

24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99

BOOM! Studios continues to present America’s greatest action hero translated into the sequential art form for the first time! Drunks, pimps, freaks and the debauched rich. It’s all in a night’s work for NYPD rookie John McClane. But what happens when 1976’s toughest kid on the street runs into a dark conspiracy involving a blonde on the run? With McClane, it means the fun’s just starting. Join legendary industry creator Howard Chaykin 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!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? #5

Written by Philip K. Dick
Drawn by Tony Parker
Covers by Moritat & Brett Weldele

32 pgs, FC, (5 of 24), SRP: $3.99

The book that inspired BLADE RUNNER continues! The world has survived war… but is it ready for mass empathy? Everyday, the thousands left on Earth immerse themselves within the plight of Wilbur Mercer. They suffer as he does, making a never-ending climb through a Hellish terrain. Welcome to the world of Rick Deckard, the world of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?!

HUNTER’S FORTUNE #1

Written by Andrew Cosby, Caleb Monroe
Drawn by Matt Cossin
Covers by Phil Noto & Rebecca A. Wrigley

24 pgs, FC, (1 of 4), SRP: $3.99

When down-and-out slacker Hunter Prescott inherits a vast fortune from his uncle, he thinks he’s got it made. But there’s a catch. Hunter has to pick up where his famous treasure-hunting benefactor left off and find the one artifact Uncle Max never could! A careful-what-you-wish-for adventure from writers Andrew Cosby (creator of EUREKA) and Caleb Monroe (THE REMNANT). Featuring sensational interior art by hot newcomer artist Matt Cossin! Cover A by fan-favorite artist Phil Noto!

Check out this Dollar Bin Preview!

MUPPET PETER PAN #2

Written by Grace Randolph
Drawn by Amy Mebberson
Covers by David Peterson & Amy Mebberson

24 pgs, FC, (2 of 4), SRP: $2.99

Captain Gonzo and his gang of pirates are determined to defeat Kermie Pan once and for all. And Gonzo’s crack team of inventors—Bunsen and Beaker—have devised some wacky weapons that might just do the trick! Beware of the Flying Tickles! Meanwhile, Piggytink grows increasingly jealous of Wendy. Features A covers by Eisner-award winning MOUSE GUARD artist David Petersen!

Heroes Con 2010 dates announced

Mark your calendars comic fans the dates for Heroes Con 2010 have been set! For some background on how these dates came together (as well as some other recent convention news) you can check out this article by Sean Collins. For updates on the huge guest list, awesome panels and other Heroes Con related announcements be sure to check out the shows official site.