Dan DeCarlo’s Archie is Back

Starting in May 2010, a dean of Archie artists will be showcased in his very own series, kicking off an extraordinary series of important Archie collections from IDW Publishing. Archie: The Best of Dan DeCarlo Volume One offers the very best of this classic and influential artist, gathering strips from the mid 1950s through the early 1970s.

“As a long-time DeCarlo fan, I am very excited about this series, as well as the rest of IDW’s Archie books,” said IDW chief operating officer, Greg Goldstein. “This is an amazing property that has influenced generations of people around the world, and this is the first book to specifically showcase Dan’s amazing art.”

Coming of age in World War II era-America, Archie captured the hearts of young and old alike. Archie and his friends remain hugely popular today through an appealing blend of timeless, humorous stories and classic Americana. 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 newly scanned from rare original art and recolored to capture the flavor of the original comics.

This is the first in IDW’s “Best Of” series, which will grow to include collections of Bob Montana, Harry Lucey, and Stan Goldberg, among others. “It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a great fan of Dan DeCarlo’s work,” said IDW Special Projects Editor, Scott Dunbier. “His classic style inspired and influenced scores of artists and entertained countless fans.”

Archie: The Best of Dan DeCarlo, Volume One ($24.99, full color, hardcover, 156 pages) will be available in stores in May 2010. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com. For more information about Archie Comics go to www.ArchieComics.com

IDW releases for March 10, 2010

ANGEL HOLE IN THE WORLD #4

Scott Tipton (w)

Elena Casagrande (a & c)

After recovering her full powers, Illyria sets out to reclaim her position as ruler of the world, seeking her vast army that exists between our plain of existence and has been awaiting her return. Meanwhile, Wesley discovers Gunn’s horrifying role in Fred’s death and enacts his own kind of justice.

A-TEAM SHOTGUN WEDDING #1

Joe Carnahan & Tom Waltz (w)

Stephen Mooney (a)

John K. Snyder III (c)

The A-Team are back! Before you see their return on the big-screen, thrill to this special mission told in comic book form only! After a successful-but harrowing-completion to a mission in icy Alaska, Hannibal and the team are up for some much-needed leave in sunny San Diego to attend the wedding of a high-ranking U.S. official’s daughter. But when threats are made against the event, the A-Team is forced to quit their vacation and go undercover to foil what might be a terrorist plot.

THE GHOUL #3

Steve Niles (w)

Bernie Wrightson (a & c)

After a brief, demonic waylay, the Ghoul and Detective Klimpt finally come face-to-face with the horror they have sought. What began as a Hollywood rumor takes a twisted turn for the worst and the recently teamed-up monster and cop find themselves in a nightmare of glitz, glamour and guts! Also, part three of the prose Ghoul adventure “My Ghoul” also concludes as Wrightson, Niles and IDW dole out a generous dose of horrors.

GI JOE ORIGINS #13

Scott Beatty (w)

S. L. Gallant (a & c)

Tom Feister (c)

First appearance of Ripcord! The latest candidate for G.I. JOE status may already be dead! Meet Wallace Weems, a soldier everybody calls Ripcord. Lost in a forbidding jungle, Ripcord has one mission: SURVIVE! And if he doesn’t outwit, outfight, and outlast the terrorists hunting him, thousands more might die!

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT’S MUSIC BOX #4

Scott Lobdell (w)

Renae DeLiz & Ray Dillon (a & c)

It’s the 1920s and a young girl is nearly starving on the streets of Chicago, hoping against hope she can ace an audition as a flapper in a popular night club. But when the manager tries to explain to this talent-less waif there’s no such thing as a free lunch, the only thing on hand to defend her honor is a music box she uses as a bludgeon! But the music box is no more generous than the now dead manager. She’s now talented, rich and famous… but at what price?

TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE #4

Zander Cannon (w)

Chee (a & C)

Guido Guidi (c)

When Bumblebee has a change of heart and goes back to help a little girl whom he had used to discover her father’s secrets, he finds himself pursued by the terrifying and unstoppable Skywarp! Bumblebee’s big adventure as leader of the Autobots comes to an explosive and thrilling conclusion!

WEEKLY WORLD NEWS #3

Chris Ryall (w)

Alan Robinson (a & c)

J.K. Woodward (c)

In the penultimate chapter of “The Irredemption of Ed Anger,” the public turns on Bat Boy, giving Ed Anger the redemption he’s been looking for. Too bad it happens right when Chaos Cloud arrives, intending to destroy the Earth!

Max Brooks enlists with IDW for new GIJOE series

The critically-acclaimed and bestselling author of World War Z, the Zombie Survival Guide and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks brings his unique and acclaimed style to G.I. JOE comics with a five-issue miniseries: G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds, coming in May under license from Hasbro. The award-winning Max Brooks crafts a G.I. JOE series for an America at war, starkly contrasting intensely brutal portrayals of the dark side of the human condition with the light of hope in the most unlikely places.

“I tried to write a series as harsh and complicated as the times we’re living in,” said Brooks. Exploring the effects of real-world war on the individual, every issue of G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds features two chapters, with each spotlighting a different G.I. JOE or COBRA character. Brooks pulls no punches from the very beginning, starting the series with chapters on Major Bludd and Spirit.

“This is the G.I. JOE book that isn’t about action figures. It’s about people like you and me,” said IDW G.I. JOE editor Andy Schmidt. “And that makes it even more chilling than any zombie novel could be, because this one isn’t about a plague—this one is about us.” Brooks’ dark stories are masterfully brought to life by artists Howard Chaykin and Antonio Fuso, who will each also provide covers. In addition to the regular edition, IDW will be offering a limited number of signed editions.

An award-winning writer, Brooks has brought his own unique style to both TV and print, including as part of the writing team for “Saturday Night Live” for forty episodes from 2001 to 2003, which won an Emmy in 2002. Brooks’ The Zombie Survival Guide was released in 2003 and has sold well over one million copies worldwide. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War followed in 2006, became an instant bestseller and is currently in development to be a major motion picture.  Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, Brooks’ most recent book, debuted at number one on the New York Times graphic novel bestseller list.


G.I. JOE: Hearts & Minds #1 (of 5, $3.99, 32 pages) will be available in stores in May. Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

IDW releases for March 3, 2010

GI JOE #15

Chuck Dixon (w)
Robert Atkins (a &c)
David Williams (c)

The M.A.S.S. Device is activated and COBRA’s got it! A world-wide crime spree ensues as COBRA can send killers, thieves and spies anywhere in the world in an instant. No place on the planet is safe from their influence. Also, Duke and Scarlett are under arrest and another Joe is in a body bag!

STARSTRUCK #7

Elaine Lee (w)
Michael Wm. Kaluta, Charles Vess (a)
Kaluta (c)

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but only the empath fish girls at Uncle Bob’s Fantanimalland can read minds! Chubby little Bronwyn eats food meant for the Mystic Nyts of the Sea, unlocking latent psychic powers while Ronnie, meanwhile, has a plan to scare Brigade Academy Cadets away from the Veil’s property in Neutral Zone 8.

IDW releases for February 24, 2010

G.I. JOE: Operation Hiss #1

Brian Reed (w)

Augustin Padilla (a & c)

Joe Corroney (c)

G.I. JOE thinks they’ve won the day, and stopped the rise of Cobra… But their battle is just beginning! Scarlett and Snake Eyes are dispatched to investigate a disturbance at a Chinese weapons facility- and come face to face with the first stages of Cobra’s latest and most deadly plan.

Song of Saya #1

Daniel Liatowitsch & Todd Ocvirk (w)

Yair Herrera (a)

Based on the Japanese smash-hit PC game, Song of Saya tells the story of Josh, a young doctor trying to recover from a near-fatal accident. When a nightmarish world threatens to drown out reality, Josh meets a mysterious girl named Saya who promises to take his pain away… if Josh agrees to help her in return.

Star Trek: Ghosts #4

Zander Cannon (w)

Javier Aranda (a)

Joe Corroney (c)

With Captain Picard shifted into another dimension, Commander Riker takes command of the Enterprise and negotiates with Worf’s hot-tempered captors for his release. Troi tries to pick through the noise in her patient’s head to unravel information on the extra-dimensional ghosts. Meanwhile, the missing Picard finds himself in a peculiar leadership role.

Star Trek Movie Adaptation #1

Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Tim Jones, Mike Johnson (w)

David Messina (a)

JJ Abrams’ blockbuster revitalization of the Star Trek franchise was the most thrilling film of the year. Now, under the direction of Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, comes the highly anticipated graphic adaptation of the film! Additionally, new scenes and moments cut from the movie are revealed-an event no Star Trek fan can dare miss!

TRANSFORMERS #4

Mike Costa (w)

Don Figueroa (a & c)

Andrew Wildman (c)

His ambivalence cost him his allegiance. His betrayal set the stage for Autobot victory. His name is Thundercracker, and this issue reveals what he’s been doing these past three years after his brutal expulsion from the Decepticons in ALL HAIL MEGATRON! Mike Costa and Don Figueroa show you perhaps the most unique transformation of all.

We Will Bury You #1

Brea Grant (w) 

Zane Grant (a)

Ben Templesmith (c)

1927: The first talkie ended the silent film era, the first man completed a solo transatlantic flight, and… a zombie virus decimated the human race. Two unlikely heroines use their unorthodox skills to survive as a zombie infection spreads through the streets of New York and beyond. Brea Grant (Heroes) and Zane Grant promise the worst breakup ever and an epic beginning to this historical horror miniseries.