GI Joe joins the Toys For Tots team

Over 14 million children live in poverty in the United States.  They need a hero this holiday season and here to answer the call of duty is G.I. JOE. Hasbro’s G.I. JOE brand, the Marine Toys for Toys Foundation and actor Dennis Quaid are joining forces to help make this holiday season a little brighter for less fortunate children.  For every G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra toy purchased at stores from November 11 through November 26 (Veterans Day through Thanksgiving), Hasbro will donate a new toy (up to 300,000 toys with a minimum $3.99 value) to Toys for Tots.

Dennis Quaid, who plays GENERAL HAWK in the 2009 blockbuster film G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra, from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, will voice a national radio spot, due to premier on Veterans Day, November 11, to help raise awareness for this campaign and the positive impact The U.S. Marines and Toys for Tots make on the lives of children.

“As long time supporters of Toys for Tots, we recognize and applaud the important work the organization does on behalf of economically disadvantaged children nationwide”, said John Frascotti, Hasbros Chief Marketing Officer.  “In working with Toys for Tots once again this year, they were very clear that new toys for the children they serve would be in greater need than ever during these difficult economic times, and we are pleased to step up and do our part.”

“We know this year will be especially hard on families as many have already started to significantly tighten the purse strings”, said retired Marine Corps Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret), vice president of marketing and development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.  “These families need a hero this holiday season and Hasbro is it.  Their generous gift of toys and games will enable us to deliver the magic of the holiday season to many of our nations neediest children.”

For more information about how you can help this worthy cause, please visit GIJoe.com and ToysForTots.org.

IDW releases for November 11, 2009

The Adventures of Digger and Friends #3

Jack Brigio (w) Diego Jourdan (a & c)

The all-ages adventures of NASCAR mascot Digger and his friends continue here! Lumpy brings in some help to stop Digger once and for all, help in the form of mobsters… mobster beavers! And in the second story, Marbles’ dream of becoming a NASCAR crew chief comes true! But who’s driving the car? Hint: It’s not Digger, much to his displeasure.

Doctor Who #5

Tony Lee (w) Matthew Smith (a) Paul Grist (c)

In Part 3 of the four-part “Fugitive” story arc, the Doctor has been trapped on an alien world with his old enemies now his allies—and his old allies now trying to kill him! He has only one chance to save his life… and possibly an entire galaxy!

Ghoul #1

Steve Niles (w) Bernie Wrightson (a & c)

When Los Angeles Detective Lieutenant Lloyd Klimpt finds himself in the middle of a Hollywood mystery that falls way outside the norm, he knows he’s going to need a different kind of help than he’s used to. He finds it in the bizarre form of The Ghoul, a monstrous investigator with a reputation for solving the world’s weirdest crimes. Written and created by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), with art by industry legend Bernie Wrightson. Also included is an illustrated prose story by Niles.

GI Joe Movie Snake Eyes #2

Ray Park & Kevin VanHook (w) Lee Ferguson (a & c)

When a series of violent murders ravages a tiny village in Japan, SNAKE EYES goes on a solo mission to find the killer-an imposter who looks and behaves just like him! And the answer may rest in the very school where young SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW trained years ago!

Jon Sable Freelance Ashes of Eden #2

Mike Grell (w & a & c)

Sable has gotten the girl to NYC so his job will be done after he delivers the diamond to Prinsloo. But his arrival in hasn’t gone unnoticed: not by the paparazzi that hound Bashara, or the goons after the diamond, or the unhappy people in Sable’s life! Sable’s work is far from finished… and not at all quiet.

Locke & Key Crown of Shadows #1

Joe Hill (w) Gabriel Rodriguez (a & c)

Prologue: “The Haunting of Keyhouse.” Sam Lesser may be dead and gone, but Dodge still has uses for him, and in the first chill days of October, will make contact with him again. The dead know things the living may not, and Sam’s restless spirit has had time to discover the thing Dodge wants to know most of all… where to find the key to the black door. The third storyline in the Eisner-nominated series begins here!

Transformers Continuum

Andy Schmidt (w) Ken Christensen (c)

Brush up on current TRANSFORMERS events with the CONTINUUM, a special 32-page, ad-free book that runs through all the key players and important events in the Transformers universe so far! From their debut story in Infiltration all the way up through the end of All Hail Megatron-the CONTINUUM is an essential guide for every TRANSFORMERS fan!

IDW announces G.I. JOE: Cobra II

Starting in January, G.I. JOE: Cobra II continues the momentum of danger and intrigue in the aftermath of the wildly successful G.I. JOE: Cobra series. Under license by HASBRO, G.I. JOE: Cobra II #1 is the first of a new four-part story that reveals the fate awaiting Chuckles, the new fan-favorite JOE sent to infiltrate COBRA.

“G.I. JOE: Cobra was our riskiest launch—straying furthest from the kinds of stories people are used to reading in G.I. JOE comics. The creators made bold choices and every one of them paid off,” said IDW editor, Andy Schmidt. “These are such great characters that we always wanted to do more with them and once again Mike, Chris, and Antonio have delivered. The first series was great, but this one will blow you away.”

Following what IGN.com called “an instant classic,” writers Mike Costa and Christos N. Gage craft an exciting new miniseries that introduces a brand new Joe and sends her on a deadly rescue mission to save Chuckles. The masterful art of Antonion Fuso gives new layers to the subtle yet undeniable divide that fans have witnessed within COBRA, highlighted in the celebrated G.I. JOE: Cobra Special #1. Covers will be provided by both Fuso and the great Howard Chaykin.

G.I. JOE: Cobra II #1 (of 4) ($3.99, 32 pages) debuts this January. For more information visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

IDW releases for November 4, 2009

Angel #27

Brian Lynch (w) Stephen Mooney (a & c) Nick Runge (c)

“Boys and Their Toys,” Part 2 of 2: Angel and Spike are thrown into a new kind of Hell as their battle at the comic convention gets hairy. Well, Furry, at least. Brian Lynch concludes his run on Angel, paving the way for next month’s all-new creative team.

From the Ashes #6

Bob Fingerman (w & a & c)

In the exciting final chapter Bob gets his Nat Turner on and strategizes a slave revolt to liberate he and his mutant chums from their bondage and Michele from within “The Bunker,” while Michele hatches her own plot to escape.

G.I. Joe #11

Chuck Dixon (w) SL Gallant (a) Howard Chaykin, Robert Atkins (c)

The first face-to-face confrontation between a Joe and a Cobra! It’s Snake Eyes vs. an unknown Cobra soldier in an epic fight to the death that neither of them may survive. Also: The Joes learn more of the true nature of the super weapon being built at Section Zero. And what has Mainframe learned that may lead to the end of the little town of Springfield?

Ghostbusters: Displaced Aggression #3

Scott Lobdell (w) Ilias Kyriazis (a & c) Nick Runge (c)

Part 3: “Here Today, Egon Tomorrow.” When Peter, Ray and Rachel arrive in the near-distant future on a Mars colony where they’ve located the chronologically displaced Dr. Egon Spengler, they discover the base is under the thumb of an imposing and mostly benevolent dictator. Egon himself! It’s Ghostbuster vs. Ghostbuster with the fate of modern-day Earth in the balance!

GrimJack: The Manx Cat #1

John Ostrander (w) Timothy Truman (a & c)

GrimJack’s spiritual search for St. John of Knives leads John Gaunt right to the outlaw saint. In the Cynosure of the past, the origin of the Manx Cat is revealed and its powers are unleashed. GrimJack must now battle demons and agents of chaos as well as a greedy Lord Protector but he isn’t going to have to do it alone!

Doctor Who: Classic Series II #12

Steve Parkhouse (w) Steve Dillon & Mick Austin (a) Robert Hack (c)

IDW’s newly recolored reprints of classic Doctor Who tales from years past continues. In this issue, the adventures of the Fifth Doctor continue in the final chapters of “4-Dimensional Vistas” and the first half of “The Moderator” with art by Steve Dillon. Featuring all-new colors by Charlie Kirchoff.

Star Trek Romulans Schism #3

John Byrne (w & a & c)

When the edges begin to fray, can the center hold for long? The alliance between the Klingons and the Romulans begins to collapse — with the Federation squarely in the middle! John Byrne’s Romulan Saga comes to a literally shattering conclusion!

Starstruck #3

Elaine Lee (w) Michael Kaluta & Charles Vess (a & c)

The Baron is backing the March Baptists in their Holy War on Onlolo Dos, but is selling arms to both sides, and Ronnie nearly kills her father with a stampede of pleasure droids and is banished to a cousin’s estate on another world as the remastered representation of Michael Kaluta’s classic Starstruck continues!

Transformers: Best of U.K.: Prey #4

Simon Furman (w) Will Simpson & Jeff Anderson (a) Andrew Griffith (c)

Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus team to take down Megatron, but what role does Straxus play in this massive confrontation? Continuing the fan-favorite collection of classic tales from across the pond, written by Transformers mainstay Simon Furman with an all-new cover by Andrew Griffith!

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.