Wednesday has passed!

I DID say that I will be blogging everyday ( or an equal of 7 days of blog entries =P ) so I will stick to that! Look for another update today! 

I want to hear what you guys have to say about Diamond's announcement that starting next year, there will no longer be a delay in shipping comics when there has been a holiday! Instead,  Diamond will be delivering comics to the stores on Tuesdays now to give a leeway/buffer time for holidays. 

I am so freaking excited about this news! As blogged about earlier, this coming weekend is Labor Day, so comics won't be in until Thursday next week instead of our usual Wednesday. I usually get so bummed whenever I forget that the comics will be coming in on a Thursday instead and I have trekked all the way to my local comic book store with a happy heart. 

What did you guys pull today for your comics? I want to know so please comment below. 

I really love this new freebie that we are giving out and remember,  get them while you can! I like the brilliant yellow color and it brightens up on my laptop! Remember, these will only be up for a limited time. 

Just click, then right click and save! Presto! A brand new beautiful background for your eyes. 

 

800 x 600

1024 x 768

1280 x 1024

1600 x 1200

I love this new wallpaper so much that I think I'm gonna make it my background right now! Hurry! You should too! 

October Previews

The October issue of Previews, on stands now, solicits Hybrid #4 for a December release. Be sure to ask your local comic shop to reserve you a copy now! Here's the copy:

It's the thrilling conclusion to the series Ain't In Cool News called, "a good, old fashioned horror story... delivering on all levels." With time running out, Brooke and Ethan make their final stand against a man driven mad with obsession and the deadly, inhuman creature that's been hunting them in this action-packed, oversized finale.

Sounds exciting! And guess what? I've had a peek... and it is! You won't want to miss this thrilling conclusion.

New Horror Anthology: Shadow Chronicles

Studio 407 is proud to present Shadow Chronicles, a blood-curdling collection of all new horror tales. A bloodthirsty vampire plagues 18th Century Europe... and a modern movie theater. In the farthest reaches of space, the crew of a research vessel is seconded by the military for a mission to a desolate planet of pure terror. And a small town is beset both by demons and the elite paramilitary squad tasked with destroying them! But which force is scarier? Find out in Shadow Chronicles, Studio 407's first ever anthology book, which affords readers a sneak peak at our most terrifying new comics!

Shadow Chronicles features stories written by Robert Heske, Chad Jones and acclaimed horror screenwriter Neal Marshal Stevens. These tales of terror are blood-chillingly brought to life by artists Diego Yapura, R.B. Silva and Rafael Ortiz.

Shadow Chronicles hits comics shops January 21, 2009.

Night & Fog #2 In Stores Today!

That's right, issue 2 hits comic shops around the country and online today. Be sure to pick it up today to discover the terrifying secret of Serum 37B, and find out if the survivor's of issue 1's catastrophe can somehow make it off the doomed military base alive!

Rave Reviews!

Comics Bulletin calls Pablo Churin's Hybrid artwork "first rate" and says Peter Kwong's script is "paced perfectly!" They conclude: "If you’re a fan of old school, creature feature movies and like a little more monster in your horror, then this is a good book for you." Couldn't have said it better myself!

And Aintitcool's Ambush Bug feels that Night & Fog #1 has "the right ingredients for a pretty kick @$$ story!" He goes on to say that writers Alex Leung and Matthew Bradford "set a nice foreboding mood for the book. This book is touting itself as a 'Hammer film meets ALIENS' which is a high standard to live up to, but the set-up looks very promising and the gritty art by Roberto Castro definitely delivers in tension and thrills. I’m going to keep my eye on this one to see if it lives up its hype. So far so good, though."

HYBRID Out Today!

The second official Studio 407 title hits comic shops today (a Thursday instead of a Wednesday thanks to the holiday last week)!

Hybrid is a four-issue miniseries that plums the depths of ecological terror off the coast of Cancun. Four friends charter a boat for a relaxing vacation, only to sail headlong into an unfathomable nightmare. As they cast off, they learn that just a day earlier a diver disappeared in the same waters they're cruising. The further out they sail, the more they find biological irregularities in the local marine life, a sea darkened with mass quantities of a mysterious ink, the looming threat of modern-day pirates, and a towering whaling trawler adrift in the open water. When they spot a frightened little girl waving at them from the bow of the derelict ship, they have no choice but to investigate. But when they reach the ship, they realize she may not be alone...

Hybrid is written by Peter Kwong. Artist Pablo Churin and the talented colorists at Shipeng Lee Studio provide the atmospheric visuals. Editor Chad Jones rounds out the creative team.

Hybrid #1 (of 4) carries a cover price of $2.75 and is suggested for mature readers.

Meet Chad Jones

This week, Studio 407's Editor-in-Chief Chad Jones contributes a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming comic Netherworld. Here's Chad:

My name is Chad Jones and I work in funny books. There's a lot I'm excited about at Studio 407. I mean a lot. A lot a lot. When the Managing Director, Alex Leung, asked me to join as Creative Director and Editor-In-Chief, the question was barely out of his mouth when I said, "I'm in." All in. You see, my background is advertising. I've written commercials for lawnmowers, generators, healthcare, blah, blah blah. And the opportunity to tell stories in a medium I love instead of selling products in 30 seconds... Seriously? Robots, monsters, ninjas, vampires, capes, cowls and everything in between? For a living? Of course, I'm in.

So, the first thing I'm going to tell you about is totally self-serving. I mean, I could go on about how Tiger & Crane and Hybrid are unfolding, or drop hints about the upcoming twists and turns in Night & Fog, but... this blog is about me, so here we go. I want to tell you about a little upcoming project called Netherworld. First off, I loves me some science fiction. And I've been writing genre for as long as I can remember. So, I was kicking around a novel idea and was trying to describe the creature concept in the story to a friend and made the off-hand comment, "well it's not like they're alien zombies or anything..."

And I stopped. And I thought, hmm.... that would be kind of awesome. Alien zombies. Hell, I gotta write that! And what came out is an all-out, action-packed gorefest with nods to old-school, sci-fi from the fifties. When I started the project, the first thing I had to do was design the aliens themselves. I knew I didn't want anything humanoid with a bumply forehead. I knew I wanted them to be monstrous and I knew I wanted them on page one. So phase one, design super-cool alien. And what our artist came up with is some kind of reptilian insect or an insectile reptile (I can't really decide which), treading on three legs with a single, mantis-like claw. Meet the Thanati, an alien race locked in an interstellar Cold War with humanity.

The pencils for Issue One are complete and we're about to get ramped up for Issue Two. I can't wait for you guys to see it. Should be a lot of fun. A lot a lot.

I'll keep you posted. By posting blogs.

Talk to you soon.

Thanks,

Chad

In Stores This Week: Tiger & Crane #2

by Leung, Zamcheck & Vuycankiat

The plot thickens as we are introduced to master spy, Foster Dulles, and the nefarious Japanese agents of Force 777 who have been tasked with stopping him at all costs. Meanwhile, the paths of Agent Dulles and the Black Tiger converge as they search for the legendary Staff of the Monkey King!"

Co-published with Bluewater Productions

Night & Fog Signing In L.A.

Today's the big day... Night & Fog #1 is in stores today! And if you're in the Los Angeles area, you can swing by Golden Apple Comics on Melrose and La Brea from 6-8 tonight and Alex and I will sign it for you! (And believe me, signing your comic would be a huge thrill for us.) Angelenos, hope to see you there tonight!

Shipping In August: Hybrid #2

By Peter Kwong & Pablo Churin

Trapped on a derelict ship adrift in the ocean, four friends are stalked by a mysterious killer. Miles away from shore, they fight for survival onboard a ship that looks as if it has been pulled from the bottom of the ocean. As the killer closes in, they realize he may be something other than human!"

Night & Fog #1 Hits June 11

Well, our initial release date of May 28 came and went as we learned another frustrating lesson of comic book publishing. Our books got held up in customs on their way from the printer overseas, delaying the premiere issue by two weeks. Now, Night & Fog #1 will be in stores on Wednesday, June 11. Ask for it by name at your local comic book retailer!

Shipping In July: Night & Fog #2

By Leung, Bradford, Castro & Aira

With the lid ripped off of Pandora's Box, the 'Frankenstein virus' Serum 37B has now mutated into deadly fog, infecting most of the personnel on the base and transforming them into terrifying preternatural creatures. Gathering together the remaining survivors, Lieutenant Christopher must now find an escape route off the secret military installation as the rampaging creatures close in on him!"

HYBRID: Building The Beast

If you're reading this, then somehow, some way, you know that a comic book named "Hybrid" is debuting on June 27, that a feature film is scheduled to be made from it through Myriad Pictures, and you're intrigued to learn more. You've also probably guessed that I am the friendly, neighborhood writer responsible for it, so if you're expecting this blog to be critical and clear eyed, then you should just keep moving. Nothing to see here.

You see, I'm in love. Creature love. Have been ever since I was a kid and spent many a Saturday afternoon watching any number of Ray Harryhausen movies. Ever since those damn flying monkeys in "Wizard of Oz". And, yeah, ever since Luke Skywalker walked into a dive bar in Mos Eisley. When writing "Hybrid", as both comic book and screenplay, I reached back to those kinds of stories that originally fired my imagination: the creature feature. These monsters didn't just take up screen space, but seemed to be lifted from the dreams of every child who was ever afraid of the dark. The great monsters were primal, sensual, and yeah, not unlike us. They had needs as deep as any Shakespearean character. Would King Kong be as memorable if he weren't in love (or lust)? Frankenstein didn't just destroy, it hungered for human connection. And Godzilla didn't just destroy Tokyo, it was taking revenge on those whose power lust for weapons of mass destruction messed up his nap time.

The creature in "Hybrid" was conceived in this spirit. Is it a killing machine? You bet. But it's also a whole lot more. It thinks. It hides. It learns. And, as is apparent early on, it's not too crazy with those of us who litter, don't recycle, and drive SUV's. Are you going to see it in issue one? Better. You'll feel it, in every panel, every page. The dread, I hope, will be unnerving. And when you do see it, you'll think twice the next time someone invites you out for an afternoon of smooth sailing.

My other approach was to write the kind of horror story that had been MIA for some time. As a fan of the genre, I feel disenfranchised by the current, and ugly, obsession with "torture porn". Social commentary readings aside, there hasn't been anything particularly frightening about this sub genre. Since when does gore and bodily mutilation equal scary? For me, it's a lazy plot device, and I'm glad it appears to be playing itself out. No. "Hybrid" is classic monster movie stuff. It was done in the great spirit of other maritime adventures like "Jaws", "Dead Calm", and even "Knife In The Water". These movies all taught me the same lesson: Atmosphere, character, suspense, action, gore, and sincere humor can all fit into one movie, even one scene, and even onto one small, claustrophobic schooner, adrift and lost at sea, with no help in sight.

So come aboard. Dramamine to your left, life jackets to the right. Don't play with the spear gun if you've been drinking. Still, it should be fun. Just don't expect to see anyone tortured.

407 Titles in the April Previews

That is to say, Studio 407 titles in the April Previews in general, not that we actually have four-hundred-and-seven individual titles in the issue! One day, but not yet. Right now we've got about eighteen in the pipeline, so we're on our way! But I'm babbling.

What was this post about? Oh, yes! That we have two titles listed in the April issue of Previews, that great tome of wonderful books and objects that comic shops order from. The one with the jaw-droppingly awesome Indiana Jones cover this month. Indy might be published by Dark Horse (oh how I hope their new series is as awesome as the Indy miniseries they used to put out back in the nineties!), but it's still cool to share pages with him in previews. (Indiana Jones? Dark Horse? "Why are you promoting other companies???" they're yelling at me. I better stop.)

The point is, we've got something just as awesome. If you like Indiana Jones, then you should definitely check out Tiger & Crane, written by my good buddy Randy and my own Night & Fog collaborator Alex, and illustrated with a furious gusto by Mark Louie Vuycankiat. It's Indy meets Bond with Kung Fu. Try it; you'll like it! Just to confuse things, it's solicited in the Bluewater section of Previews rather than the Studio 407 because they're publishing it. But I swear it's a 407 book! Under Studio 407, you'll find another comic: Hybrid. Hybrid is an incredibly creepy new maritime horror story by Peter Kwong & Pablo Churin. The full solicitation copy for both follows, along with covers. I have to say, that Tiger & Crane one with the rising sun is probably my favorite cover on any of our books yet! Isn't it a thing of beauty?

Tiger & Crane #3

Baron Akashi and Force 777, Japan’s infamous secret service, leave a swathe of terror in their wake as they continue their search for the mythic Staff of the Monkey King. Meanwhile, Agent Foster Dulles races to find the Black Tiger and enlist the martial arts hero in his cause to find the Staff before the Japanese can get their hands on it.

Hybrid #1

When four friends decide to rent a schooner for the day, everything is smooth sailing until they encounter a derelict ship adrift in the ocean--a massive trawler that looks as if it had been dragged from the bottom of the sea. When they spot a frightened little girl waving at them from the bow, they have no choice but to investigate. As they get closer to the ship, they discover that the girl is not alone.

Official Press Release For Night & Fog

STUDIO 407 PULLS THE TRIGGER

For Immediate Release

Santa Monica, CA – March 13, 2007 – Studio 407, the newly established Santa Monica-based writer-driven creative lab, will publish its first comic book title NIGHT & FOG, hitting comic book stores on May 27, 2008. The scrappy creative house, which made news recently when they announced their first-look deal with film indy Myriad Pictures, are the creators of Bluewater Productions’ smash series TIGER & CRANE.

NIGHT & FOG is a six-issue miniseries that takes its cue from classic horror literature and turns it on its head, reinventing the monster comic for a new generation. On an island off the coast of Canada, a military science experiment, linked to a terrible secret from the past, infects a nearby village, turning the inhabitants into bloodthirsty, rampaging creatures. Even armed with the state-of-the-art weaponry, the military personnel on the island are helpless against creatures who are almost impossible to destroy and can adapt under almost any attack. They’ve created the perfect killing machine that can survive under any conditions, but they no longer have the means to control them. For the small band of survivors, it’s one terrible, endless night, which they must somehow survive until an elite rescue team can arrive to save them.

NIGHT & FOG is written by Alex Leung and Matthew Bradford, with stunning artwork by Argentine artist Roberto Castro. Castro’s gritty, realistic style, hearkens back to the classic look of ’70s horror magazines Eerie and Creepy. Colorist JM Ringuet, whose evocative, painted coloring style adds to the sense of dread and excitement, rounds out the creative team.

Leung cites James Cameron’s seminal Aliens as a primary inspiration, saying, "I’ve always loved the idea of creatures so potent they render even the most cutting-edge military technology utterly useless. I like putting the most highly-trained, elite commandos in situations even they cannot comprehend."

Bradford compliments Leung by taking his cue from another generation of fear. "I listened to wall-to-wall Hammer soundtracks while writing NIGHT & FOG. Nothing sets the tone for spine-tingling terror like the music of James Bernard."

After NIGHT & FOG, Studio 407 will be coming out with three more books in the summer including HYBRID and THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST, and have ten more books in various stages of production. "This book will set the standard for the kind of quality that we represent," promises 407 Editor-In-Chief Chad Jones. "We tell stories we love and hope others feel the same way about them."

Earlier this year, Studio 407 and Myriad Pictures, helmed by President and CEO Kirk D’Amico, formed a firstlook partnership to make full-length live-action motion pictures. The first project, HYBRID, is scheduled to begin shooting later this year.

NIGHT & FOG #1 (of 6) hits shelves late May. It’s featured as a Staff Pick on page 338 of the March 2008 issue of Diamond Previews. The Diamond Code is MAR 08 3955. Retail support for NIGHT & FOG includes a fold-out poster featuring the cover on one side, and a preview of interior pages on the other, which will be included in the March 19 issue of retailer newsletter Dateline. A nine-page preview can be viewed at: http://www.studio-407.com/nfpreview/
ABOUT STUDIO 407


Short for "40 Guns and 7 Swords," Studio 407 is an East-meets-West company that brings together the imagination and talents of writers and artists from North America and Asia to generate distinct and kinetic stories. In addition to developing its own in house material it will also be publishing graphic novels from Europe and manga and manwha titles from Asia. For more information about Studio 407 and its titles you can check out their website at studio-407.com.

A Staff Pick In Previews!

Our first official* Studio 407 comic book, Night & Fog, is solicited in the current issue of Previews... and they made it a staff pick! We couldn't be more thrilled. In a beautiful quarter-page box on page 4, staffer Shelly says:

Okay, where is Night & Fog issue #2? I can't wait to read it! There is so much going on in this comic, and there are so many small stories building up into something huge, that I literally could not stop reading it! And then guess what? It wasn't over! I have to wait for
the next issue to have my questions answered! This book has left me in a state of frenzy because I yearn to read more about these characters and their predicaments!

Shelly later concludes her review with some of the kindest
words we could hope for:

Night & Fog is an excellent first offering by newcomers (to Previews, anyway) Studio 407. The writing is amazing, as is the artwork. Take a chance with someone new and give Night & Fog a try - you won't be sorry.

Well, as one of the writers on the book, all I can say is... Aw, shucks. Thanks, Shelly! I do hope readers take her advice and give the book a try. I'm blown away by Roberto Castro's artwork, and though I may be biased, I can't help but agree with Shelly that the book makes a damn good read. Read her whole review here.

*Tiger & Crane was published by Bluewater