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Dresden Files: Storm Front Creative Team Announced

The Dabels follow up Welcome to the Jungle with adaptation of Jim Butcher's Storm Front

Dabel Brothers Publishing announced today that Mark Powers and Ardian Syaf will be the creative team adapting Jim Butcher's Storm Front to comics. Considering the success of Harry Dresden's first comic book appearance in Jim Butcher's original story, Welcome to the Jungle, the Dabel Brothers couldn't wait to begin production on Storm Front. "With Welcome to the Jungle, each new issue sold more than the previous one," says Dabel Brothers Vice President, Les Dabel "We've sold out of the first two issues and have already re-printed the 1st issue…I'd say that qualifies as a hit."

Storm Front is Butcher's very first Dresden Files novel, and follows Harry through the investigation of a double murder committed by the use of black magic. The Dabels promise a non-stop, and action packed story in typical Dresden fashion leaving the readers on the edge of their seats.

"Harry Dresden is one of the coolest characters to be introduced in fantasy fiction in the last ten years. Everyone knows that the Dresden Files is a bonafide publishing phenomenon, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to bring Jim Butcher's baby to comic book life," says Mark Powers. "I've been fortunate to work with a lot of talented newcomers over the course of my career, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with Ardian. We're determined to do justice to Harry and company."

After spending a decade at Marvel Comics, Mark Powers moved to Devil's Due, where he oversaw the GI Joe line of books as well as the first several volumes of the company's Dungeons and Dragons line. Nowadays, he is focused on his own writing projects, most notably Drafted.

Ardian Syaf continues to amaze everyone with his work on Welcome to the Jungle: "Drawing Welcome to The Jungle is a big jump in my career as a newcomer artist, since it's my very first published work. And its success, of course is all because of Jim, but I think my pencils have improved in every issue. I will try hard to get Storm Front to feel like the novel, because I know that is what the fans want."

"Mark Powers is very good at what he does," says Les Dabel, "and Ardian has done a terrific job bringing Harry Dresden to life in Welcome to the Jungle. I can't wait to see what they both do on Storm Front."

The first issue of Storm Front ships October 2008, available in comic book stores everywhere. Look for the Welcome to the Jungle graphic novel also coming in October from Del Rey.

For more information on Dabel Brothers Publishing and Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle, please visit http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

About Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher, best known for The Dresden Files and The Codex Alera series, has written an original Dresden Files story for Dabel Brothers Publishing called Welcome to the Jungle, which takes place before the first Dresden Files book, Storm Front. Butcher's newest book, Small Favor, is the tenth book in the Dresden Files series and was just released on April 1st by Penguin Putnam, Inc. http://us.penguingroup.com/.

About Dabel Brothers Publishing

Dabel Brothers Publishing, LLC is a comic book studio dedicated to bringing many of the best and most popular novels in the world of fantasy to the comic book medium. With a passion for authenticity and a firm respect for the original text, the Dabel Brothers work hard to ensure that their adaptations build upon and enhance the worlds of popular works in a manner that longtime fans and new readers alike can enjoy. The Dabel Brothers first became known for their stunning adaptation of George R. R. Martin's The Hedge Knight in 2003. Since then, they have produced over a dozen different titles that have adapted novels by major, bestselling authors, including Orson Scott Card, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Richard A. Knaak and Robert Silverberg. The Dabel Brothers also produced the first six issues of Laurell K. Hamilton'sAnita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which they published through Marvel Comics. The hardcover graphic novel collecting these issues went on to become the bestselling graphic novel of 2007 with only a single month's worth of sales. In 2008, the Dabel Brothers are producing and publishing several more comic book adaptations of novels by major bestselling authors, including Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards and Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files.

All of these titles will be collected into graphic novel collections in conjunction with Del Rey Books, an imprint of Ballantine Books. More information about Dabel Brothers Publishing can be found at http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

All trademarks and titles are the property of their respective owners.

The statements contained within this document are considered "forward-looking statements"

and may not reflect upon the actual future performance of Dabel Brothers Publishing, LLC.

Mid-Ohio-Con Launches Indie Film Festival For 2008

The MOC-IFF will Screen Short and Feature-Length Films During Mid-Ohio-Con in October

Wednesday, July 2, 2008 – Columbus, Ohio

GCX Holdings LLC announced today that it will launch the Mid-Ohio-Con Indie Film Festival (MOC-IFF) as a new programming track for Mid-Ohio-Con 2008. The MOC-IFF will accept submissions of short and feature-length films in the following categories: Action/Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Horror/Suspense, Humor/Parody and Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Qualifying films will be screened during Mid-Ohio-Con on October 4-5, 2008.

“This feature is a great addition to the Mid-Ohio-Con programming track and it will be a fantastic opportunity for independent filmmakers to screen their work in front of legions of enthusiastic fans,” said James Henry, Managing Director of GCX Holdings. “We’re excited about the great new developments we’ve announced with our guest list and programming schedule in recent weeks, and stay tuned for more announcements.”

“We are accepting submissions for the MOC-IFF effective immediately,” said J. Michael Lewis, Film Festival Director for Mid-Ohio-Con. “All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of four judges who will evaluate each qualifying submission and awards will be granted to the top selection in each category. Prizes will include a trophy as well as a prize package comprised of contributions from a number of our leading exhibitors and sponsors.”

About Mid-Ohio-Con

Now entering its 28th year, Mid-Ohio-Con is one of America's longest-running and most successful pop culture conventions. Each year, Mid-Ohio-Con brings fans of all ages together with leading comic book writers and artists, film and television creators and stars, as well as publishers and retailers from across the nation. Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 will be held on October 4–5 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center at 400 North High Street in Columbus, Ohio.

About J. Michael Lewis

J. Michael Lewis has been working in independent movie production since joining Tempered Zealot Productions in 2004. The award-winning filmmaker's short movies have been screened around the world. Lewis is the current leader of the Columbus chapter of IndieClub, which is an organization that offers its members a platform to meet, network, and collaborate with other filmmakers, actors, crew, and other important resources.

J. Scott Campbell joins Finch by going Beyond Wonderland

Zenescope Entertainment has just released news that superstar artist J. Scott Campbell (Gen 13, Danger Girl, Spider-Man) has completed a cover for the very soon to be released BEYOND WONDERLAND #1 which debuts at Comic Con in San Diego later this month. The same issue is already featuring a cover by the renowned David Finch (Ultimatum, Moon Knight, New Avengers) and now Campbell will join Finch as both artists’ covers will ship at a 50/50 ratio to retailers.

“It’s an exciting time when two amazing artists in this industry both offer to do covers for your series.” Said Zenescope VP Ralph Tedesco, “I can’t thank J. Scott or David enough for the work and brilliance they put into each of their pieces.”

Beyond Wonderland is the sequel mini-series to Zenescope’s indie hit Return To Wonderland and is a dark, horror-filled take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Tedesco describes the series as “American Beauty meets Jacob’s Ladder with a nightmarish version of Carroll’s classic sprinkled throughout.”

Said David Finch regarding Zenescope’s 'Wonderland' series, "Every so often something comes along that just seems so obvious that you don't know why it hasn't always been done.”

There is still some time for retailers to place their orders for Beyond Wonderland #1 featuring the covers by Finch and Campbell by using Diamond order code JUN084373.

Mid-Ohio-Con Announces Joe Kubert as Guest of Honor

Kubert Will Join an All-Star Roster of Comic Creators at Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Columbus, Ohio
GCX Holdings LLC announced today that legendary creator Joe Kubert has been named Guest of Honor at Mid-Ohio-Con 2008. Kubert will join an all-star roster of creative guests from world of comics, films, television and other genres at Mid-Ohio-Con 2008. This news is the latest in a series of high-profile guest announcements that have been featured at the Mid-Ohio-Con web site www.midohiocon.com and The Mighty Mighty MOC-BLOG www.midohiocon.blogspot.com.

“To call Joe Kubert’s contribution to comics extraordinary is an understatement,” said James Henry, Managing Director of GCX Holdings. “His impact on the medium can be measured not only in his own great achievements as an artist, writer, and editor but also as a father to his sons Adam and Andy, two of finest and most successful comic books artists in the business today, and as a teacher to thousands of students at his Kubert School over the past three decades,” Bill Schelly, author of the forthcoming Man of Rock: A Biography of Joe Kubert, aptly notes that Kubert’s career literally spans the history of American comics. He began drawing comics professionally in 1938 at the age of 11 just as Superman made his debut in Action Comics no. 1, and continues to be one of the most influential creators in comics to this day, with a body of work in mainstream and independent comic titles that is loved by fans and critics alike.

Kubert is best known for his definitive runs on DC’s war comics, GI Combat, Our Army at War, Sgt. Rock, Enemy Ace, and the Haunted Tank, as well as superhero titles like Hawkman and his adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs property Tarzan. During the span of his 70-year career in comics, he has worked as an artist, writer, and editor on many of the leading titles for every major publisher in the business.

About Mid-Ohio-Con

Now entering its 28th year, Mid-Ohio-Con is one of America's longest-running and most successful pop culture conventions. Each year, Mid-Ohio-Con brings fans of all ages together with leading comic book writers and artists, film and television creators and stars, as well as publishers and retailers from across the nation. Mid-Ohio-Con 2008 will be held on October 4–5 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center at 400 North High Street in Columbus, Ohio.

DABEL BROTHERS TO ADAPT ROBERT JORDAN'S BESTSELLING WHEEL OF TIME SERIES IN

NEW YORK, NY – July 1, 2008 – Dabel Brothers Publishing announced today that they will adapt Robert Jordan's bestselling Wheel of Time series, which has sold more than 14 million copies in North America alone, into comic book format. The first issue is scheduled to release in December 2008.

The Wheel of Time began in 1990 with the publication of The Eye of the World; ten more volumes have followed. The most recent four books of the series have reached #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list. It is the story of a world – both our past, and our future – in which the battle between the Light and the Shadow must be fought every day; and of the people, both ordinary and extraordinary, who must fight that battle. Jordan wrote eleven volumes of the series and one prequel; he was unable to complete the twelfth and final volume before his death in 2007. That volume, A Memory of Light, will be completed by Brandon Sanderson, a writer chosen by Jordan's widow and editor, Harriet McDougal, and published by Tor Books in 2009.

The Dabel Brothers published a comic adaptation of Jordan's A New Spring in March 2005. In conjunction with that project, Robert Jordan provided them with extensive notes for use in further possible publications, including character descriptions and other visuals.

"I'm delighted to be working with the Dabel Brothers! Their work is splendid. Robert Jordan liked it enormously," says Harriet McDougal.

Graphic-novel collected editions of the individual comics will be distributed by Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group. The deal was negotiated by Jordan's agent, Nat Sobel.

Robert Jordan was born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. He taught himself to read when he was four with the incidental aid of a twelve-years-older brother, and was tackling Mark Twain and Jules Verne by five. He was a graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in physics. He served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army; among his decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with Palm. A history buff, he also wrote dance and theater criticism. He enjoyed the outdoor sports of hunting, fishing and sailing, and the indoor sports of poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting. He began writing in 1977 and continued until his death on September 16, 2007.

Dabel Brothers Publishing, LLC, is a comic book studio dedicated to bringing many of the best and most popular novels in the world of fantasy to the comic book medium. Since its inception in 2001 they have produced adaptations of novels by bestselling authors including George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Laurell K. Hamilton, Raymond E. Feist, Tad Williams, Richard A. Knaak, and Robert Silverberg. Currently on the schedule is a remarkable list of high-profile projects including adaptations of major novels by bestselling authors: Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, an original story set in the world of Jim Butcher's bestselling series The Dresden Files, a Wild Cards series edited and overseen by George R. R. Martin, and a brand-new Mercy Thompson adventure by Patricia Briggs titled Mercy Thompson: Homecoming.

For more information on Dabel Brothers Publishing: http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

Star Trek Wrath of Khan Phaser

So I went to Wizard World Chicago this weekend and much to my surprise I was able to see the new Phaser from AA/DST! When I arrived on Friday the person I spoke with said that the prototype would be arriving on Saturday. Well first thing Saturday, I made my way to the booth and to borrow a quote…."There she is (or was in this case)!"

Dragon Laird

Title: Dragon Lairds
Publisher: Margaret Weis Productions
MSRP: Not released as of yet

Dragon Lairds is a board game from veteran designers James M. Ward and Tom Wham, who also provides the whimsical art for the game. This is the first board game from Margaret Weis Productions. Players take on the roles of Dragon rulers seeking to become the one Dragon Monarch by accumulating the most Royals. It is designed for 2-5 players 10 years of age and up and plays in about 45-60 minutes.

Demon Hunters Role Playing Game

Publisher: Margaret Weis Productions
(http://www.margaretweis.com/)
Authors: Jamie Chambers, Brian Clements, Jimmy McMichael, Matt Vancil, Nathan Rice, Nathan Rockwood, Andy Vetromile
Pages: 176
Format: Hard Cover w/DVD or PDF
Price: $34.99 MSRP, $22.99 @ DriveThruRPG.com (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=55136)

Demon Hunters is an RPG from Dead Gentleman Productions (DGP - makers of the great film The Gamers and the upcoming Dorkness Rising) using the Cortex game system (Serenity and Battlestar Galactica RPGs) from Margaret Weis Productions (MWP). Nuff Said! Go buy it now. What? You’re still here? You want more information? Well if the preceding is not enough for you read on.

This irreverent RPG is based on the first film produced by the minds of DGP. Enter the world of the Brotherhood of the Celestial Torch, better known as Demon Hunters. Do battle on the side of Heaven against the forces of darkness and the Order of the Infernal Scepter. Do you have the junk* it takes to survive this holiest of holy wars? Good thing training includes tabletop simulation to prep you for taking part in the war.

The Reformed

The Reformed, written by Christopher Hart, drawn by Anzu, and published by Del Rey, is a manga about a vampire who falls in love with a young woman and tries to redeem himself and shed his instinct to feed on human blood.

Haridama: Magic Cram School

Haridama: Magic Cram School, by Atsushi Suzumi, (published by Del Rey) is a manga about two young sorcery students with a bit of a problem, each of them only has half of the energy they need to be wizards.