Sina Grace's Burn the Orphanage Charity Auction for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Image Comics creator Sina Grace has teamed up with The Lustgarten Foundation to donate all 20 pages of art from BURN THE ORPHANAGE: REIGN OF TERROR #1 to support pancreatic cancer research. The series of auctions, titled Compassion vs. Cancer, will go entirely to The Lustgarten Foundation’s efforts in raising awareness for the under-funded and highly-deadly cancer.



With only a 6% survival rate, pancreatic cancer is a lethal type of cancer that affects an average of one in 68 people. No stranger to the loss of friends and family from both cancer in general and pancreatic cancer, Grace sought out the Lustgarten Foundation to brainstorm ways to make a dent in the fight against cancer.



Grace explained, “After losing a friend to cancer last month, I needed to do something bigger than wallowing and worrying. By donating all of the art from my book, I can raise more funds towards great cause and possibly inspire my peers to do the same.”



The auctions all start between $10 and $25, allowing fans of all income brackets a chance to participate. All proceeds from the auctions will go to the Lustgarten Foundation to fund and support research into the biological mechanisms and clinical strategies related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, as well as facilitating dialogue and public awareness for pancreatic cancer patients, their families, and friends.



BURN THE ORPHANAGE is a video game-loving action series from Sina Grace (SELF-OBSESSED, LI'L DEPRESSED BOY, NOT MY BAG) and Daniel Freedman (UNDYING LOVE, STIMULUS). Issue #1 of the REIGN OF TERROR story arc debuted today, showing the team of heroes in peril against a corporation that has taken the city under siege.



To place your bid, please visit: http://www.compassionvscancer.com to view all of the auctions, which will remain open until May 17th.



To learn more about The Lustgarten Foundation and how 100% of donations go to research, please visit www.lustgarten.org. 

Image Comics Burn the Orphange: Born to Lose Volume One from Sina Grace and Daniel Freedman

With the publication of BURN THE ORPHANAGE VOLUME 1: BORN TO LOSE in May, Image Comics will show readers that revenge is a dish best served with blazing side-scroller-style action. In the ‘80s-tastic graphic novel inspired by video games like Double Dragon and Streets of Rage, Sina Grace (THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY, NOT MY BAG, SELF-OBSESSED) and Daniel Freedman (UNDYING LOVE) tell the story of Rock, a young orphan who was left for dead in a burning building. All grown up now, Rock is out to find the person responsible, taking on on every goon and punk in the city. Fighting by his side are his friends Lex and Bear, who bring their own talents into the mix.

"I'm lucky enough that I get to work with one of my best friends on a comic book that was born of a love of video games, music, and styles of our shared childhood,” said Grace, who both co-writes and draws the series. “We're going to put our rough-and-tough hero Rock through the wringer in Burn the Orphanage, and I'm glad that the industry embraces the product of our intense friendship."

Co-writer Freedman agreed. "Burn the Orphanage is Sina’s and my baby to the world,” he said. “While it was in our collective womb, we piped in shred guitar and 8-bit techno. Birthed it by way of interstellar travel. Nursed it on an unhealthy amount of side-scrolling, brawling, and button-mashing. And clothed it in the fur-lined rags of our childhoods, meaning acid washed jeans, bandanas, and fishnets. I'm just excited for people to finally get a look at this monster."

Collecting all three issues of the comic book series plus never-before-seen art and other extras, BURN THE ORPHANAGE VOLUME 1: BORN TO LOSE is the first volume in a planned trilogy. The first installment of a five-issue second volume, BURN THE ORPHANAGE: REIGN OF TERROR, begins in May.

BURN THE ORPHANAGE: BORN TO LOSE VOLUME 1: BORN TO LOSE by Sina Grace and Daniel Freedman will be in comic book stores on May 7 and in bookstores on May 20.

•                ISBN 978-1-60706-965-2

•                128 pages, full color, paperback

•                $12.99

•                Collects BURN THE ORPHANAGE: BORN TO LOSE #1-3

Sina Grace's Self-Obsessed from Image Comics

 

For fans of his gothic-tinged retail hell graphic novel NOT MY BAG, Sina Grace (LI’L DEPRESSED BOY, BURN THE 

ORPHANAGE) presents a collection of rare and never-before-seen autobiographical strips in SELF-OBSESSED!

 

"I feel like I've been teetering between mainstream and indie,” confessed Grace. “Self-Obsessed is a fun middle ground for the fans who love my slice-of-life stories like Not My Bag, and for the readers who got behind the raucous romp that is Burn the Orphanage. Plus—how fun are convenient one-shots jam-packed with quirky insights?"

 

Loaded with new stories for this edition, SELF-OBSESSED is packed with quirky and humorous insights about comics, love, dreams, and frenemies. 

 

SELF-OBSESSED is a one-shot comic that arrives in stores on 4/2, and will be available for $3.99. It can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code: FEB140508.

Image Comics New York Comic Con Exclusive and Programming

Image Comics will be at New York Comic Con in full force, with top creators signing and must-have exclusives at their booth in the Javits Center during the October 11-13 convention. In addition, the New York Comic Con programming schedule features ten Image Comics-related panels with discussions both wide-ranging and craft-focused.

The Image creators who will be signing exclusives at the Image Comics booth (#1229):

Robert Kirkman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive red foil-stamped THE WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM VOLUME ONE hardcover (limited to 1500) and THIEF OF THIEVES VOLUME ONE: "I QUIT!" hardcover (limited to 1000)

  

Brian K. Vaughan (NYCC Spotlight Guest) and Fiona Staples (NYCC Featured Guest) — NYCC Exclusive SAGA bookplate (limited to 200, included with purchase of SAGA VOLUME ONE)

Jonathan Hickman (NYCC Spotlight Guest) — NYCC Exclusive THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS VOLUME ONE: SCIENCE, BAD hardcover (limited to 500)

Tim Seeley  — NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic WITCHBLADE #160 variant (limited to 1000)

Ron Marz (NYCC Special Guest)— NYCC Exclusive Stjepan Sejic ARTIFACTS #21 variant (limited to 1000)

Joe Harris (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive GREAT PACIFIC #1 variant (limited to 500)

Jim Zub (NYCC Special Guest) — NYCC Exclusive SKULLKICKERS #18 sketch cover variant, available at Artist Alley table #W11 (limited to 100)

Ed Brisson — NYCC Exclusive COMEBACK #1 ashcan

Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore — NYCC Exclusive THE LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE ashcan

Other Image creators signing at the booth include:

Grant Morrison (NYCC Spotlight Guest) (HAPPY!)

Howard Chaykin (BLACK KISS II)

Glen Brunswick and Whilce Portacio (NYCC Featured Guest) (NON-HUMANS)

Alex de Campi (NYCC Special Guest) and Christine Larsen (VALENTINE)

Jay Faerber (POINT OF IMPACT, NEAR DEATH)

Sina Grace (NOT MY BAG)

Jeremy Haun (THE DARKNESS)

David Hine (NYCC Featured Guest) (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, THE DARKNESS)

Jason Howard (NYCC Featured Guest) (SUPER DINOSAUR)

Ales Kot (WILD CHILDREN)

Jim McCann and Rodin Esquejo (MIND THE GAP)

Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith (PIGS, CHOKER)

Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder (NYCC Featured Guest) (HALLOWEEN EVE)

Scott Snyder (NYCC Spotlight Guest), Scott Tuft, and Attilla Futaki (SEVERED)

Christian Weiser, Tony Trov, and Johnny Zito (D.O.G.S. OF MARS)

Lee David Zlotoff and Will Sliney (MacGYVER)

A full, updated Image Comics signing schedule will be released before the convention. Please note that signings and exclusives are subject to change.

The Image Comics programming at NYCC will feature a one-on-one conversations with THE WALKING DEAD creator and Image partner Robert Kirkman, a SAGA panel with creative team Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, panels on craft with writers and artists, discussions of science fiction and gender issues, as well as the highly anticipated "The Image Comics Experience" panel, where attendees will be the first to hear new Image Comics announcements.

The full listing of Image Comics NYCC programming follows.

THURSDAY

The Image Revolution Documentary

Twenty years ago, the seven biggest superstars in comics created a company that changed the industry and started a creator rights revolution. From Spawn to The Walking Dead, discover the highs, lows, secrets and controversies of Image Comics in an exclusive sneak preview of The Image Revolution, a new documentary from the creators of Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods and Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts. Speaking on the panel will be director Patrick Meaney, producer Jordan Rennert and Sequart's Mike Phillips, along with moderator F.J. De Santo, and a special guest! At San Diego Comic Con, Marc Silvestri appeared on the panel, who will be on this one? Date: 10/11/12 Thursday, Time: 6:30 PM, Location: 1A04

FRIDAY

Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics

With the unlimited potential of comics, there is perhaps no better medium for speculative fiction than comics. Limited only by their imaginations, Image Comics creators have been creating far-flung universes where science, fantasy, and technology explode in rich possibilities. Find out why they choose science fiction, how they build worlds, and what inspires them in a conversation moderated by Elephantmen creator Richard Starkings. Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Wood, Joe Harris, Glen Brunswick, Ming Doyle, David Hine, Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Location: 1A06

Skybound: On the Rise

There's no limit on what to expect from SKYBOUND, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics. THIEF OF THIEVES is a breakout hit and already been optioned by AMC, GUARDING THE GLOBE supplies another monthly fix for the Invincible universe, the all-ages smash SUPER DINOSAUR is about to blow up in a big way... so what's next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the imprint's future with his stable of creators! Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Shawn Martinbrough, Jason Howard, and special guests; Moderator: Sean Mackiewicz, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 2:45PM - 3:45PM, Location: 1A14

Drawing the Line: Artists on Creator-Owned Comics

Art is as integral to comics as story, and what readers see before they read a word. Independent comics give artists the freedom to create their own worlds and characters. How do some of independent comics' top artists bring to paper what they and the writers they work with imagine? Delve into the ink-stained world of character design, sequential storytelling, and writer-wrangling with the artists on Nowhere Men, Revival, Luther Strode, Non-Humans, Perhapanauts, and Saga. Panelists: Nate Bellegarde, Mike Norton, Tradd Moore, Whilce Portacio, Craig Rousseau, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/12/2012 Friday, Time: 6:30:00 PM - 7:30:00 PM, Location: 1A23

SATURDAY

The Image Comics Experience

Image Comics brings together some of the most exciting rising stars in comics today and established creators alike to talk about the past, present, and future of Image Comics. Join Publisher Eric Stephenson to experience a lively conversation with surprise guests, and be among the first to hear some big announcements! Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 11:00AM - 12:00PM, Location: 1A23

 

The Top Cow Universe's New Era

Are you interested in writing or drawing comic books? Then YOU need to come to the Top Cow panel where the Image imprint's top talent will tell you about what it's like to create comics like Cyber Force, The Darkness, Witchblade, Think Tank and more! Get a first look at new art! Find out what's going on with The Darkness movie in development! And get the latest on the Top Cow Talent Hunt, in which TWO lucky writers and TWO lucky artists will get jobs. All attendees will also get an awesome exclusive! Panelists: Jeremy Haun, Matt Hawkins, David Hine, and Tim Seeley; Moderator: Matt Hawkins, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Location: 1A14

The Writers Room

Some of comics' best writers will talk about the challenges, triumphs, and idiosyncrasies of the comics creative process. Find out how comics like Happy!, Saga, and The Manhattan Projects are conceived, written, and brought to the printed page from the writers who knew them from "PAGE ONE, PANEL ONE.”

Panelists: Grant Morrison, Brian K. Vaughan, and Jonathan Hickman, Moderator: Jonathan Ross, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM, Location: 1A21

Saga: Sex, Drugs & Rocketships

Saga launched in March 2012 amid great anticipation, excitement, high hopes, and a little controversy and quickly became one of the top-selling independent comics of the year, second only to The Walking Dead. Creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples will talk about how they made an epic mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, and romance into the comic industry's biggest sensation—and hint at what's in store for Alana, Marko, and baby Hazel! Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Moderator: Eric Stephenson, Date: 10/13/2012 Saturday, Time: 6:15 PM - 7:15PM, Location: 1A10

SUNDAY

Creating Comics with Two X-Chromosomes: Real Talk with Image's Female Creators

The subject of women in comics is often dominated by controversy, but what about conversation? Join some of comics' top female writers and artists for some candid talk about working the comics industry. Does being a woman make a difference? What perspectives do female creators bring to a male-dominated industry? All that and more—with women who use their talent to get ahead! Panelists: Jordie Bellaire, Alex de Campi, Christine Larsen, Ming Doyle, Amy Reeder, and Fiona Staples; Moderator: Jennifer de Guzman, Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 10:45AM - 11:45AM. Location: 1A14

Kirkmania!

Robert Kirkman, creator of the global sensations THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE and THIEF OF THIEVES, opens the floor to all his fans in this lively and engaging Q&A session., Panelist: Robert Kirkman

Date: 10/14/2012 Sunday, Time: 1:30PM - 2:30PM, Location: 1E13



Sina Grace's Not My Bag Coming This October from Image Comics

 In October, readers will get a chance to see a little piece of Sina Grace's own personal hell in NOT MY BAG, a new original graphic novel coming from Image Comics on October 10.

Grace is the artist on the indie comics favorite THE LI'L DEPRESSED BOY, written by S. Steven Struble, and was editor of Robert Kirkman's comics until stepping down to pursue a full-time art career. In NOT MY BAG, he chronicles the six months of his life that he spent as a sales associate in an upscale department store. Grace tries to cater to both customers' taste and the demands of his management, all while the ghosts of relationships past haunt him and his artistic dreams wait for the bills to be paid.

"Not My Bag is a celebration of all of my passions: comic books, fashion, and the gothic genre," said Grace. "Image Comics sees what I see in this book, and I'm excited to share something that is my unabashed love letter to funny books... by way of retail hell."

In advance support of his graphic novel, Grace has done interviews with the L.A. Times and Comic Book Resources, and pieces will also be running in The Hollywood Reporter and Newsarama. A preview of NOT MY BAG appears in THE WALKING DEAD #102.

A 96-page, black-and-white graphic novel, NOT MY BAG (AUG120476) will be in stores on October 10. It is available for pre-order now from the August issue of Previews. Review copies are available upon request; please email Jennifer de Guzman at jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com.