GI JOE Operation HISS launches in February

This February, IDW explores what follows the dramatic ending of this summer’s smash-hit movie, G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra. Under license by Hasbro, Inc., G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S. focuses on two of the brand’s main characters, SCARLETT and SNAKE EYES, as they combat the latest plot of the evil and menacing COBRA organization.

The war against COBRA has only just begun as writer Brian Reed (G.I. JOE Special: Agent Helix) unveils the return of the wildly popular STORM SHADOW character and introduces a sinister new character, brought to life by the dynamic art team of Augustin Padilla and Alex Cal, from the popular G.I. JOE: Origins series.  G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S., a five-part miniseries, draws readers into a world of danger that threatens to corrupt the heroic G.I. JOE team member, DUKE. Joe Corroney (Star Trek: Mirror Images) provides the variant covers to the hottest title yet to spin out of G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra.

“The G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra publishing program has been one avenue of support for the film’s storyline—until now. With Operation H.I.S.S., we chart new territory and are adding to the strong mythology developed for the film,” said Andy Schmidt, IDW’s G.I. JOE editor. “This series is not about filling in holes and tying up loose ends, it’s about big, over-the-top action while emphasizing what makes these characters great.”

G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S. #1 (of 5) ($3.99, 32 pages) debuts in February. Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

The return of Zombies vs Robots

IDW Publishing returns to the post-human world with a new Zombies vs Robots series, coming in February. Zombies vs Robots Aventure is a continuation of the original series from the Eisner-losing team of Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood that explored a world in which a group of robots try to protect the final remaining human from a planet full of zombies. The new four-issue Zombies vs Robots Aventure will feature three serialized eight-page stories per issue, each one offering a different take on the war between these two forces.

“The original Zombies vs Robots started after the war had already begun,” said Ryall. “This new series more fully fleshes out that world, so to speak. Before, we looked more at the battle between robots and zombies. In Aventure, we delve into how this fighting affected humans across the world. A couple of the stories take a darker turn than we’ve done in ZvR so far, but that undercurrent of gallows humor is never far from any of the tales we tell in this world.”

Ryall will pen each tale, continually developing the war between zombies and robots, and the role that human hubris played in the downfall of the world. The stories in Zombies vs Robots Aventure will feature new interior artists for the first time, with design and covers coming from co-creator Wood. 

The stories serialized in Aventure #1 are: “Kampf,” featuring art by Mention Matthews III, is set in the early days of the struggle, where the military has developed its own resistance to fight the zombie threat alongside their robot army. “Masques,” with art by Paul McCaffrey, follows up the earlier “origin” story of Zombies vs Robots and explores a non-combatant’s efforts to join the fight, with disastrous results. “Zuvembies,” by Ryall and Gabriel Hernandez, shifts the battle to Haiti, where resistance fighters are trying to develop their own undead army as a means of defense.

Issue #1 also features a different incentive cover by Wood, plus a bonus art gallery including pinups and sketches from all three interior artists. Zombies vs Robots Aventure #1 (of 4, $3.99, 32 pages) will be available in February 2010. Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.



BOOM Studios Announces Toy Story Ongoing

Why wait until next summer’s TOY STORY 3 to get your Buzz on? BOOM Kids! has your back! With the breakout success of last spring’s Toy Story miniseries, BOOM Kids! announces that in December, TOY STORY will launch as an ongoing monthly, starting with TOY STORY #0, written by rock star Jesse Blaze Snider!

“When I first saw TOY STORY years ago, I was in love,” said Snider. “It wasn’t just the idea that every toy has a secret life, but I was fascinated with the secret lives of those toys we saw in the film. It’s always been something in the back of my mind, Woody and Buzz and even the Pizza Planet aliens waiting to come out to play again. This is a tremendous opportunity and it will not disappoint.”

Jesse Blaze Snider is well known for starring in the popular MTV show, “Rock the Cradle” where he received acclaim from fans and critics alike for his “Back-Flipping” performances on the show. Fans will also recognize Jesse as a Music Host and VJ for MTV2, Fuse and AOL’s Top 11 Countdown. When he is not writing comic books, Jesse is in the studio working on his first solo record. Growing up the son of famed rock star Dee Snider, Jesse attributes some of his greatest musical influences to watching The Muppet Show. But Snider isn’t just a song and dance man. He’s a jack-of-all-trades with a background in comics, working on titles for both Marvel and DC, from Marvel Comics Presents to the critically acclaimed vampire book from DC called Dead Romeo.

TOY STORY #0 begins as the tale of two Buzzes. When Andy receives another Buzz as a gift, old Buzz finds himself challenged by new Buzz! And only Woody can save the day. The first four-issue arc is written by Jesse Blaze Snider, with interior art and covers by Nathan Watson.

For more information this and other great title, please check out BOOM! Studios at their official site.

WWE Comics hitting shelves in 2010

Titan Publishing has announced its partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment in the launch of WWE Comics. Over the course of the agreement, 20 issues will be produced and distributed to comic retailers and specialty stores in the US and Canada. The comic’s flagship title will be WWE Heroes featuring WWE Superstars and Divas, with the first issue debuting on March 23, 2010.

The series will take the WWE Superstars and WWE Divas beyond the spotlight of the squared circle and into a brand new fictional universe. “Each week more than 1.6 million teens watch WWE programming on television in the U.S. This is an important demographic for the comic book industry and vital for a successful launch in the industry,” stated Ned Hartley, Editor, WWE Heroes. “We’ve got some truly amazing stories to tell – our first issue is going to blow you away! The “in- your-face, no-holds-barred” attitude of the WWE works so well as a comic, we just can’t wait for people to see the great surprises that we’ve got in store.”

WWE Heroes will feature WWE Superstars like: Triple H, Undertaker, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Big Show, John Cena, CM Punk, Kane, Edge, Chris Jericho and many others. The series is written by Keith Champagne (The Mighty, Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters), artwork is provided by Andy Smith (check out our interview with him) and additional cover by Liam Sharp (Testament, Death’s Head).

On sale March 23, 2010, issue #1 of WWE Heroes reveals an eternal rivalry set against the backdrop of the history of WWE. Why is the ruthless Shadow King so obsessed with WWE? What is the reason for his eternal and supernatural war with the Firstborn? And could his ancient opponent really be a member of the WWE roster?

For more on Titan Publishing take a look at their sites for both comics and magazines. For more on WWE Heroes and related projects check out WWEcomics.com.

Desperado Joins IDW Publishing

IDW Publishing and Desperado today announced a publishing agreement, which will bring Desperado’s impressive roster of talented creators and expansive catalog of books to IDW under a new imprint. Founded in January 2005 by Eisner Award-winning comics veteran Joe Pruett, Desperado quickly established itself as a high-end publisher of art books, graphic novels, and comics. Desperado titles have been nominated for five Eisner Awards and won two since 2007, and repeatedly feature the comic industry’s top creative talent.

“We are very excited to have Desperado join us,” said IDW chief operating officer, Greg Goldstein. “Desperado’s books and roster of creators are both very impressive, and as an IDW imprint, Joe will have the flexibility and support to expand both. It’s really a win-win situation.”

IDW’s new imprint will continue to offer the high quality books and feature the talented creators for which Desperado is known. The 2010 line up already includes industry greats, such as Dave Dorman, Brian Bolland, Tony Harris and George Perez. These books, as well as Desperado’s comics and graphic novels, will be released under the new imprint.

“I was sold from the first conversation,” said Pruett. “If there was one company that I would admit to being envious of, it would be IDW. Watching them transform from a start-up company to the present-day publishing beast has been nothing if not inspiring. Everything about IDW speaks to how much they love this industry and love what they are doing. We at Desperado look forward to a long, prosperous relationship. As the famous quote goes, ‘I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

More information about this and other exciting projects involving these two companies can be found at IDWPublishing.com.