Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Volume 3 Brings in New Creators

From the Archaia imprint, Mouse Guard creator David Petersen is set to invite a new group of creators to come play in his sandbox in the third volume of the Legends of the Guard series.
In the series, customers at the local watering hole are each invited to
tell a story. The one who tells the best story will get their bar tab
cleared. David writes and illustrates the scenes set in the bar, but the
stories themselves are by created by the likes of Skottie Young (Rocket Raccoon), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Becky Cloonan (Gotham Academy) and Dustin Nguyen (Batman Eternal). The four-issue miniseries, which will be printed in Mouse Guard’s signature 8” x 8” square format, is set to debut in March.

 



Take Flight with Archaia's Feathers

Archaia, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, is pleased to announce the January debut of the new limited series Feathers. Following in the footsteps of Archaia titles Rust, Iron: Or, the War After, and The Reason for Dragons, creator Jorge Corona’s (Goners) first original work is an an all-ages adventure that dives into the darkness and beauty of life. Fans of Avatar: Legend of Korra and Amulet will fall in love with Poe, the boy covered in feathers.

“Archaia is home to beautiful graphic novels that often break the mold for comics, and we’re approaching our single issues withthat same sensibility,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Feathers is a heartfelt story from a tremendously talented creator. Expect to see Jorge emerge as an exciting new voice in the comics community in 2015.”Poe has always been different. Born covered in feathers, he’s watched the strange slums of the Maze from rooftops, lending a helping hand in secret and earning the title of “ghost of the Maze.” 

When Bianca, a feisty girl from inside the walled city, gets lost in the Maze, Poe finds gangs and child-snatchers as they try to get Bianca home, and perhaps to get himself making his very first friend. Together they’ll have to dodge street her will learn the secrets to his mysterious past.

Feathers #1 arrives in comic shops from Archaia on January 7th with a cover price of $3.99 under Diamond order code NOV141106. The main cover isillustrated by series creator Jorge Corona, with an incentive cover by Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants) and a 10 Years Anniversary incentive cover by Ramón K. Pérez (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, The Amazing Spider-Man).

Archaia and David Petersen Present Mouse Guard: Baldwin the Brave and Other Tales

Archaia, an imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, is delighted to announce the newest addition to the epic tales—or tails—of Eisner and Harvey Award-winning creator David Petersen’s beloved Mouse Guard series. Shipping in November, Mouse Guard: Baldwin the Brave and Other Tales is a beautiful hardcover that collects the Mouse Guard short stories that originally appeared in Archaia’s last four Free Comic Book Day offerings, along with two brand-new tales created by Petersen exclusively for this collection.

“Mouse Guard continues to be a perennial favorite for a legion of readers, and it’s easy to see why,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “David is truly a unique talent that approaches everything he creates with passion, innovation, and the handmade touch of an artisan. We’re honored to publish these stories and characters that we love so much. And the only way to do them justice is to collect these Free Comic Book Day stories, as well as two brand-new stories, in a beautiful hardcover that will sit nicely alongside the rest of the Mouse Guard collection.”

In Mouse Guard: Baldwin the Brave and Other Tales, every hero was once a child, listening to stories of the heroes who came before them. It is the same with the Mouse Guard. Six mouse fables are spun to a few familiar youngfurs, reminding us all to be brave, stay true to ourselves, and follow our hearts. Brand-new stories include “Service to Seyan,” set in the land where Mouse warriors travel after death, and “Oh, Day Away,” a tale of the insect faeries of the Mouse world!

The Mouse Guard: Baldwin the Brave and Other Tales 8" x 8" hardcover arrives from Archaia in comic shops on November 5th with a cover price of $14.99, under Diamond order code SEP141157. (The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is October 13th.) Not sure where to find your nearest  comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: The Novelization from Archaia and Boom! Studios

 

Award-winning publisher Archaia, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce the June debut of JIM HENSON'S THE DARK CRYSTAL: THE NOVELIZATION, the second in a planned series of three hardcovers that reprint the prose novel adaptations of fan-favorite Henson properties. The book follows the recent April release of JIM HENSON'S LABYRINTH: THE NOVELIZATION and will be followed by the August release of JIM HENSON'S STORYTELLER: THE NOVELIZATION.

JIM HENSON'S THE DARK CRYSTAL: THE NOVELIZATION, written by author and playwright A.C.H. Smith and overseen by Jim Henson, reprints the long-out-of-print prose novel of the classic 1982 fantasy film for the first time in hardcover and features illustrations and concept designs by legendary illustrator and concept artist Brian Froud (The Goblins of Labyrinth, Faeries) that have never before been published. The book also contains an exclusive peek into Jim Henson’s creative process with a transcription of over 20 never-before-seen pages of his detailed notes on an early draft of the adaptation.

“There’s an entire generation of Jim Henson fans who never had the opportunity to enrich their enjoyment of classics like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal with the prose novel adaptations,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We’re honored to be working with The Jim Henson Company and The Jim Henson Archives to give these reprints the Archaia treatment and present them in beautiful new editions.”

Archaia began publishing comic books and original graphic novels based on The Jim Henson Company’s most popular titles in 2010 with the FRAGGLE ROCK comic book series and has consistently published new projects since that time. Archaia’s relationship with The Jim Henson Company resulted in the Eisner Award-winning JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, based on the lost screenplay by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl and illustrated by Ramón Pérez, along with critically acclaimed interpretations of JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER, THE DARK CRYSTAL, and FRAGGLE ROCK.

JIM HENSON’S THE DARK CRYSTAL: THE NOVELIZATION goes on sale in comic shops and specialty stores on June 4th under Diamond Order Code APR140989, and wherever books are sold on June 10th (ISBN 978-1-60886-418-8). The 6” x 8”, 224-page hardcover prose novelization will retail for $19.99. 



Samurai and the Supernatural Collide in Archaia's Okko Volume 4

Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is pleased to announce the February debut of the OKKO VOLUME 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE hardcover graphic novel. Available for the first time in English, the fourth volume of the series from writer and artist Hub continues the story of the ronin Okko and his group of demon hunters as they roam feudal Pajan.

“The OKKO series has been a perennial favorite of fans of Archaia’s translations of beautiful French comics,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We know that VOL. 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE has been a long time coming, so we’re very excited to finally get this into the hands of the title’s most ardent readers.”

When two of Pajan’s great clans covertly agree to a marriage between their heirs to form a powerful alliance, Okko the ronin and his group of demon hunters are recruited to insure the security of the ceremony in the long-awaited fourth volume of the series that blends the fantasy and samurai genres.

• “One of OKKO's great strengths is the unusual and distinct world Hub has created. Pajan resembles the feudal Japan of so many popular anime, but with plenty of quirks all its own.”  – IGN.com
• “Hub has created a rich and diverse land that has been well thought out and keeps in nature of the fantastical world of demons and demon hunters. I never once felt lost in this expansive world that Hub has created for OKKO.”
  – WatchPlayRead.com
• “Hub’s writing is impactful and entertaining with well-placed plot twists and a near-perfect balance of dialogue and action. His characters are well-developed, endearing individuals with baggage and consistently portrayed idiosyncrasies. But for all Hub’s abilities as a writer—and they are appreciable—where he really outshines the pack is in his talents as an illustrator. – Comic Book Snob

OKKO VOL. 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE arrives in comic shops on February 5th with a cover price of $19.99 under Diamond order code DEC130994. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
  

Archaia's Hacktivist #1 Preview

Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce that Alyssa Milano’s HACKTIVIST will debut as a new, four-issue limited series, which will be in stores tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22nd. Set in the world of tech entrepreneurs and social media, HACKTIVIST is the story of two friends who operate one of the largest social media firms by day, but by night, use their hacking skills to help important social causes all over the world. That is, until the U.S. government finds out!

WHY WE LOVE IT: From the creative mind of Alyssa Milano, with artist Marcus To (Huntress, Red Robin), and writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Hacktivist is a fast-paced cyber-thriller about friendship and freedom in a time war.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT: Fantastic characters and stunning action set pieces, beautifully illustrated by Marcus To (Cyborg 009, Red Robin) and Eisner-nominated colorist Ian Herring (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand).

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are young, brilliant, and the co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world stays connected. In secret, these best friends are also “sve_Urs3lf,” the largest, white-hat hacking group on the planet, exposing information and sparking revolutions across the globe.

Preview Pages in Hacktivist #1

Hacktivist #1
Writer(s): Alyssa Milano, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly
Artist(s): Marcus To
Diamond Code: NOV130890

Hacktivist #1 will be in stores tomorrow, January 22nd. 

Hacktivist #1 Arrives January 22nd from Archaia and Boom! Studios

Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce that Alyssa Milano’s HACKTIVIST will debut as a new, four-issue limited series in January. Set in the world of tech entrepreneurs and social media, HACKTIVIST is the story of two friends who operate one of the largest social media firms by day, but by night, use their hacking skills to help important social causes all over the world. That is, until the U.S. government finds out!

“HACKTIVIST brings Archaia back to its roots as our first 2014 series in the imprint to debut in single-issue form,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Imagine if the head of Twitter was also Anonymous. That's the intriguing concept that Alyssa Milano brought to us. We're very excited to bring readers this thriller and deliver Archaia's excellence in production design to the single-issue format. Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly have crafted a dynamic and authentic story. And it’s fantastic to be working with Marcus To and Ian Herring again. Their work on CYBORG 009 was absolutely incredible.”

“HACKTIVIST combines my love of tech, social media, and philanthropy,” said actress and producer Alyssa Milano (“Charmed,” “Mistresses”). “This idea sprang from my friendship with Jack Dorsey, the creator of Twitter, and my fascination with how one person can single-handedly bring about positive change in the world. It’s a concept I felt Archaia was the right publisher to help me develop. They understood the potential and assembled a great team in Jackson, Collin, Marcus, Ian, and [letterer] Deron [Bennett] to create a story that had no limits. I can’t wait for people to read it!”

WHY WE LOVE IT: From the creative mind of Alyssa Milano, with artist Marcus To (CYBORG 009, HUNTRESS, RED ROBIN), and writers Jackson Lanzing (FREAKSHOW) and Collin Kelly, HACKTIVIST is a fast-paced cyber-thriller about friendship and freedom in a time of war.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT: Fantastic characters and stunning action set pieces, beautifully illustrated by Marcus To and Eisner Award-nominated colorist Ian Herring (JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND).

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are young, brilliant, and the co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world stays connected. In secret, these best friends are also “.sve_Urs3lf,” the largest, white-hat hacking group on the planet, exposing information and sparking revolutions across the globe.

HACKTIVIST #1 arrives in comic shops on January 22nd with a cover price of $3.99 under Diamond order code NOV130890. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

Mouse Guard Rand's Shield from Skelton Crew Studio

Mouse Guard fans should be very pleased to know that the Skelton Crew Studio has just released their second limited edition piece from David Petersen's amazing series, Rand's Shield. 

Defend your keep.

Rand's Shield is ripped from the pages of David Petersen's acclaimed "Mouse Guard," published by Archaia Entertainment. This officially licensed replica measures approx. 3.4-inches long.

Cast in antique copper-plated pewter, this limited edition collectible is hand numbered one of 1,000 and packed in a supple brown debossed leather pouch. (It's not weasel skin, but it's close.)

The back of the shield is outfitted with deerskin leather straps.

Sculpted by Jamie Macfarlane.

Not guaranteed to stop mouse-sized arrows, but it probably would.

Made in the USA

Mouse Guard, Rand's Shield is now available for pre-order at Skelton Crew Studio for $30. 

Boom! Studios and Archaia Debut New Joint Booth at SDCC

BOOM! Studios and Archaia Entertainment are pleased to announce they will set up jointly at Comic-Con International in San Diego in a new location for both companies. The two Eisner Award-winning publishers will exhibit at booth number 2229 on the current show floor map.

This marks the first time the companies have exhibited together since BOOM! Studios acquired Archaia Entertainment on June 24th. Fans of BOOM! Studios, KaBOOM!, and Archaia alike will find all three brands represented individually, but sharing a new common space. The new booth will be positioned between Marvel and Sideshow Toys on the convention floor. BOOM! would like to extend a special thank you to Comic-Con International and Gallery Nucleus/Bolt City Productions for making the last minute change possible. Gallery Nucleus/Bolt City Productions will now be exhibiting at booth number 2743 (previously BOOM! Studios).

BOOM! and Archaia are also pleased to announce their now co-hosted 8th Annual Drink-Up at the Hilton Bayfront Odysea Bar on Thursday night beginning at 9pm. The Drink Up continues the tradition of the only open party at Comic-Con that welcomes fans, professionals, and creators alike to celebrate. BOOM! and Archaia are also pleased to share their panel times and descriptions. Please note that some panel descriptions and participants have changed since originally announced by Comic-Con International due to the availability of panelists.

BOOM! Studios

Scheduled Panels

Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 10am - 7pm

12:00pm – 1:00pm – 'Editing Comics: The BOOM! Studios Way' - Room: 28DE
Join BOOM! Studios creators Brian Stelfreeze (WEDNESDAY COMICS, DAY MEN), Paul Jenkins (WOLVERINE: ORIGIN, DEATHMATCH), and Eric Esquivel (FREELANCERS) along with BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon and Editor Dafna Pleban as they look into the editing secrets of one of the comic book industry's leading independent publishers and discuss editing do's and don'ts.

1:00pm – 2:00pm – 'Gender in Comic Books' - Room: 28DE
Join Ball State University professor Christina Blanch as she moderates a sincere discussion on the topic of gender in comics with Alexa Dickman (LADIES MAKING COMICS), Grace Randolph (SUPURBIA), Disney editor Janelle Asselin, BOOM! editors Shannon Watters and Dafna Pleban, Archaia editor Rebecca Taylor and Marvel editor Jeanine Schaefer.

9:00pm – ?:??am – BOOM!'s 8th Year Anniversary Party, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Odysea Bar, 1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. Come one! Come all! Open invite to professionals and fans alike!

The World's First Truly Digital Variant Cover from Archaia Entertainment and ComiXology

Award-winning graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment has teamed up with Ishinomori Production Inc. and comiXology—the revolutionary digital comics platform boasting iTunes’ #3 top grossing iPad app of 2012—to deliver the first “truly digital” variant comic book cover! Created specifically for comiXology’s Guided View reading technology, the cover to Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 celebrates the 75th birthday of legendary manga creator Shotaro Ishinomori, known the world over for creating Go Rangers (the precursor to Power Rangers), Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider (a.k.a. Masked Rider),Kikaider, and Skull Man.

“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the innovative work of manga legend Shotaro Ishinomori than debuting the groundbreaking ‘truly digital’ variant of Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 by Archaia,” said co-founder of comiXology John D. Roberts. “We knew that comiXology’s Guided View would play a big role in the evolution of comics storytelling but this ‘truly digital’ variant is an exciting leap into a whole new direction. Here’s to the first of many!”

“After changing the way people think about printed books the past few years, one of our missions at Archaia for 2013 is to change the way people think about digital storytelling,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “What we’ve produced with comiXology for Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 is almost a digital ‘flip book’ cover for the 21st century, with Marcus To and Ian Herring brilliantly bringing to life a fight between Cyborg 009 and an unnamed agent of series villain, The Black Ghost. I can’t wait for comics fans around the world to see what Marcus and Ian have created.”

Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 previews Archaia’s full-length hardcover graphic novel, featuring a contemporary take on Ishinomori’s classic Cyborg 009 characters. It will debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego this July. Written by F.J. DeSanto (The Spirit, Insurgent) and Bradley Cramp (Gattaca), illustrated by Marcus To (Huntress, Red Robin), and colored by Eisner Award Nominee Ian Herring (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand),Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 is available today exclusively across comiXology’s entire digital comics platform including the iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows 8 and the Web

Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 features the first 17 pages of the forthcoming Cyborg 009 graphic novel from Archaia, as well as the first 61 pages of the original Cyborg 009 Volume 1 manga, which, along with other works by Ishinomori, are also available for purchase on comiXology.

Conceptualized and brought to life by Marcus To, Ian Herring, Eisner Award-nominated designer Jon Adams, Eisner Award-winning editor Stephen Christy, and comiXology co-founder John D. Roberts, the Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 cover is available exclusively through the comiXology digital comics platform.
The original Cyborg 009 manga has sold over 250,000,000 copies worldwide. A new animated movie adaptation produced by Production I.G was released this past October in Japan.

Mouse Guard Replicas from Skelton Crew Studio

Skelton Crew Studios has recently announced that they have opened pre-orders for The Black Axe pewter replica from "Mouse Guard." The first 400 axes will come with a tag signed by the very talented David Petersen. It's Skelton Crew's first piece in that new line and we're excited to see it out in the world. It ships in January.

 

 

Start your Lockhaven armory.

 

The Black Axe is ripped from the pages of David Petersen's acclaimed "Mouse Guard," published by Archaia Entertainment. This officially licensed replica measures approx. 4.25-inches long.

 

Cast in dull black nickel-plated pewter, it's packed in a supple brown debossed leather pouch. (It's not weasel skin, but it's close.)

 

The axe contains some sharp edges. It's a collectible, not intended for children.

Sculpted by Israel Skelton.

 

Not guaranteed to take down owls — and please don't try.



Archaia Entertainment Announces Agreement with ComiXology

Eisner Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment today announced an exclusive “digital first” and same day as print distribution agreement with comiXology — the world’s largest digital comics platform available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web with over 60 million comic and graphic novel downloads to date — that will see Archaia debuting all-new and previously unreleased content on comiXology. Beginning today, in conjunction with the start of Chicago’s C2E2 ‘12 expo, Archaia will release never-before-available digital materials, with new content to be made available weekly exclusively via comiXology. 

Brand new and upcoming digital first and same day as print exclusive titles include RUST, a ForeWord Book of the Year finalist currently in pre-production as a feature film at Fox, Ben Caldwell’s DARE DETECTIVES!, Jeremy Bastian’s acclaimed CURSED PIRATE GIRL, and several previously unavailable titles from Archaia’s critically-lauded Jim Henson library, including THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and this year’s multiple-Eisner-Award nominated blockbuster, TALE OF SAND.

In the coming months, Archaia will debut new titles digitally before print with such titles as Yehudi Mercado’s PANTALONES, TX, Charles Soule’s STRANGE ATTRACTORS, Saurav Mohapatra’s MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL, and Andrew Gaska’s revisioning of the classic Sci-Fi series SPACE: 1999.

“MOUSE GUARD has always been a favorite of mine and I had personally quested to bring it to comiXology, but I’ve been blown away by the top quality and wide diversity of Archaia’s titles since we launched,” said comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. “So, comiXology offering digital firsts from Archaia excites me on a personal level.”

“We are dedicated to bringing our library of award-winning content into the digital forefront, and comiXology has proven the demand for digital content in the marketplace, providing readers with a simple and immediate means of accessing the latest graphic novel content. We’re excited to offer readers some of our hottest content weeks, and in some cases months, before it sees print.” Says PJ Bickett, CEO of Archaia.

Launching Friday, April 13th, as part of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), fans new and old will be able to download brand new content via the Comixology storefront, accessible online and via iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web.

Archaia Hardcover for Free Comic Book Day

It's been a week since the end of Wondercon and we miss it. One of the exhibitors we loved was Archaia. We got a nice surprise when they were willing to share with us the Archaia item for Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) on May 5th.  

In this hardcover there are short stories from six Archaia titles. Of course there's David Petersen's Mouse Guard as shown on the cover. In addition there is Labyrinth, Return of the Dapper Men, Rust, Cursed Pirate Girl, and Cow Boy. We can't wait for FCBD so we can pick up this extremely limited freebie. It is in full color and a great find for all comic book lovers.

Archaia Entertainment Hardcover for Free Comic Book Day 2012

As one of the gold sponsors, Archaia Entertainment has a special offering for their fans: a 6" x 9", 48-page, full color hardcover. The anthology includes all-original stories from "Mouse Guard" by creator David Petersen and other stories, such as Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, Cursed Pirate Girl, Rust, Cow Boy and Dapper Men.

Petersen talked about the challenges of creating a book for Free Comic Book Day over at Comic Book Resources:

"One of the major challenges Petersen faces every year for Free Comic Book Day is making sure the story is of importance to longtime fans of "Mouse Guard" while maintaining its accessibility for new readers, a challenge he struggled with in his first FCBD contribution. "The first year, I tried to do something in the main 'Mouse Guard' continuity. It was striking exactly that balance that was really hard, because I was trying to fit something into the main plot," he said. "It was really hard and really stressful, and I don't know that it really succeeded on either front -- being a really good story for new readers or being a really good existing story. I think it kind of fell short in both of those ways."

Petersen's solution in 2011, an approach that carries over to this year's tale, is simple: maintain the spirit and elements of "Mouse Guard," but minimize the reliance on knowledge of the monthly issues. "[The stories are] more about giving [readers] the flavor of the kind of story you could expect to find [in 'Mouse Guard']," he said. "All the other elements are there, all the ingredients -- little versus big, the predator attack and weather or seeing nature at a mouse's perspective. There was a map in last year's story. It's the kind of things that I tend to use as a visual storytelling device. It's more about giving them the flavor, giving them the idea of what 'Mouse Guard' is about instead of trying to introduce them to the 'Mouse Guard' plot, figuring that if they like my one-off story, they're going to like my regular stories as well."

Go read the full article here!

Free Comic Book Day Gold Comic Books Announced

The Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Committee has announced its Gold Sponsor comic book selections for the industry’s top annual event, Free Comic Book Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012. Next year marks the eleventh anniversary of Free Comic Book Day with another year of incredible stories that allow fans of all ages to dive into the adventures of their favorite comic book characters and encourage new readers to explore the fun and excitement that comics can offer. 

Chosen by retailers on the FCBD Committee, there’s a free comic book for everyone’s taste: from Avengers, Star Wars and Transformers to Peanuts, Mouse Guard, and MegaMan.

“We had a record amount of entries from publishers this year with more than forty-five different titles” said FCBD spokesperson Leslie Jackson. “Retailers on the committee had a tough time deciding on which titles to choose for Gold sponsorship, but we’re sure fans will be pleased with the line-up for next year.” 

A complete listing of all FCBD titles, including the ten Gold and thirty-five Silver comic books, can be found in the January issue of Diamond Comic Distributors’ PREVIEWS catalog, on sale at all comic book shops on December 28. Look for a separate announcement next Friday on FCBD 2012’s Silver comic book offerings.



MOUSE GUARD, LABYRINTH, AND MORE HC FLIP BOOK

Written by Jeremy Bastian, Nate Cosby, Royden Lepp, Jim McCann, Ted Naifeh and David Petersen

Illustrated by Jeremy Bastian, Chris Eliopoulos, Cory Godbey, Janet Lee, Royden Lepp and David Petersen. Cover by David Petersen

This Free Comic Book Day, Archaia offers readers the chance to experience history in the making with a FREE, gorgeous, 48-page, 6” x 9” full color hardcover original graphic novel featuring all-new material! David Petersen returns with an all-new Mouse Guard tale that’s guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings! Lose yourself once again in Jim Henson’s amazing world of Labyrinth, featuring a fantastical story from Eisner Award-nominee Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin) and Cory Godbey (Fraggle Rock). Get a new perspective on Jet Jones in Royden Lepp’s critically acclaimed Rust, with a short story seen through the eyes of younger brother Oswald Taylor. Jeremy Bastian’s acclaimed Cursed Pirate Girl hits the high seas in this whimsical, swashbuckling tale of wonderland journeys and unimaginable dangers. Nate Cosby (Pigs) and Chris Eliopoulos (Franklin Richards) present Cow Boy, a comedy/western that tells the tale of a young bounty hunter determined to send his entire outlaw family to jail. And Jim McCann and Janet Lee follow up their Eisner Award-winning Return of the Dapper Men with an all-new short story that leads into the upcoming sequel, Time of the Dapper Men. Witness the origin of a new, major character! And…the return of 41?!

MEGA MAN: LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Script: Ian Flynn Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, John Workman, Matt Herms

"Let the Games Begin!" Part One: Don’t miss the first classic issue of the hit new MEGA MAN comic series! The future looks bright when brilliant and benevolent Dr. Light unveils his latest creations: the Robot Masters! But when the nefarious Dr. Wily steals them for his own sinister purposes, there is no one left to stop him. No one – except Mega Man!