"Star Wars: Battlefront" Ships November 17, 2015

Star Wars™ Battlefront™ Begins Shipping Across the Galaxy November 17, 2015

EA, DICE and Lucasfilm Invite You to Immerse Yourself in Your Star Wars™ Battle Fantasies, Watch the New Star Wars™ Battlefront™ Trailer Now

Pre-Order Star Wars Battlefront and Be Among the First Players to Experience a Pivotal Battle Preceding Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™*

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DICE™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) studio, and Lucasfilm announced today that Star Wars™ Battlefront™ will be released beginning November 17, 2015 in North America (November 19 in Europe) as the first full-length trailer for this highly anticipated title premiered to thousands of fans at Star Wars™ Celebration. Combining an unprecedented collaboration with Lucasfilm and the award-winning Frostbite™ game engine, Star Wars Battlefront will deliver an incredibly authentic and immersive interactive entertainment experience featuring photorealistic visuals and epic action in iconic Star Wars™ locations. See how this comes to life in-engine by experiencing the newest trailer for Star Wars Battlefront here or at http://starwars.ea.com/battlefront.

    “Like so many others around the world, everyone at DICE is a tremendous fan of the Star Wars universe”

“Like so many others around the world, everyone at DICE is a tremendous fan of the Star Wars universe,” said Sigurlina Ingvarsdottir, Senior Producer of Star Wars Battlefront. “To be working on a Star Wars project and knowing we are helping to represent the universe we love to our generation and a legion of new Star Wars fans is truly an honor. Thanks to the access and knowledge shared with us by Lucasfilm, and the passion and talent of our team, we plan to deliver an amazing game that puts you right in the middle of the Star Wars battles you always imagined playing.”

Star Wars Battlefront will allow fans to live out a wide range of heroic moments and intense battle fantasies of their own – firing blasters, riding speeder bikes and snow speeders, commanding AT-ATs and piloting TIE fighters and the Millennium Falcon. These battles will take place on some of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe, including Endor, Hoth, Tatooine and the previously unexplored planet, Sullust. Gamers will be able to play as some of the most memorable characters in the original trilogy such as Darth Vader and Boba Fett. Star Wars Battlefront will feature a wide range of modes tailored for different types of battles, from larger 40-person competitive multiplayer to crafted missions that are played solo, with a friend via split-screen offline or co-operatively online.

Fans who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront will be among the first players to experience the Battle of Jakku*, the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert planet on the Outer Rim. Taking place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor, players will experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™. Players who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront can fight the battle one-week early starting on December 1, 2015. All other players will get access to this free† content on December 8, 2015.

Star Wars Battlefront will be available in North America on November 17, 2015 and starting November 19, 2015 in Europe for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One™, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and on Origin™ for PC. To join the Star Wars Battlefront conversation please visit www.facebook.com/EAStarWars, follow us on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/EAStarWars or sign up for the official EA Star Wars newsletter at http://starwars.ea.com/newsletter. Press assets for Star Wars Battlefront are available at http://info.ea.com.

* THIS OFFER IS BEING ISSUED TO YOU FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CREDIT, CHARGE, DEBIT OR GIFT CARD. GOOD ONLY FOR NEW PURCHASES OF STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT FULL GAME ("PRODUCT"). OFFER EXPIRES UPON PRODUCT RELEASE. CODE EXPIRES DECEMBER 7, 2015. VALID ONLY AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS. FOR PHYSICAL PRODUCTS, CODE FOR CONTENT WILL BE PROVIDED AT TIME OF PRODUCT PICKUP. FOR DIGITAL PRODUCTS, CONTENT WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTITLED UPON PRODUCT INSTALL. VALID WHEREVER PRODUCT IS SOLD. SEE WWW.EA.COM/STARWARS/BATTLEFRONT/PRE-ORDER-OFFER FOR DETAILS ON EARLY ACCESS SCHEDULE. OFFER MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTIONAL OR DISCOUNT OFFER, UNLESS EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY EA; MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY PREPAID CARD REDEEMABLE FOR THE APPLICABLE CONTENT. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. SEE FINAL PRODUCT DETAILS, EULA AND CONTENT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY AT WWW.EA.COM/1/PRODUCT-EULAS IF AND WHEN AVAILABLE. INTERNET CONNECTION, ORIGIN ACCOUNT, REGISTRATION WITH SERIAL CODE AND ACCEPTANCE OF END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT MAY BE REQUIRED TO PLAY. EA ONLINE PRIVACY AND COOKIE POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EA.COM. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER FOR AN ORIGIN ACCOUNT. EA MAY DISCONTINUE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE AT WWW.EA.COM/1/SERVICE-UPDATES.

† STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT FULL GAME REQUIRED.


About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal year 2014, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA, EA SPORTS, Battlefield, Frostbite, Origin, The Sims, Dragon Age and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Xbox One is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc.

STAR WARS © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of April 12th to 18th, 2015 - Update #19

NEWS:

From THR:  Bill Pullman and Judd Hirsch returning for "Independence Day 2."

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From YahooSports:  ESPN's Britt McHenry talks smack to a tow truck company employee.  Honey, she sure is mad!

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From GuardianUK: An article about "toxic LGBT" characters on film and TV.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Rock Hudson's "true love" speaks about the late actor.  The man, Lee Garlington, apparently dated Hudson from 1962 to 1965.

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From Truthout:  Hopefully, this isn't just a flash in the pan:  TV programs featuring Blacks, Latinos, and Asians, and not just vapid young white actors.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Ryan Reynolds hit by a paparazzo, who drove off, in Canada; Reynolds is reportedly OK.

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From Variety:  Furious 7 wins the 4/10 to 4/12/2015 weekend box office with an $60.6 million estimated gross.  Meanwhile, the film has already grossed over $800 million worldwide.

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From Politico:  In the wake of the Walter Scott shooting in South Carolina, Frank Serpico pens a piece for Politico.  Serpico, famous as a whistle blower on police corruption in the NYPD, was the subject of an Oscar-nominated film starring Al Pacino.


COMICS:

From YahooTV:  Zach Snyder tweet first "Batman v. Superman" trailer.

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From HuffingtonPost:  Easter eggs from "The Walking Dead."

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From Variety:  Michelle MacLauren has dropped out of directing Warner's "Wonder Woman" film reportedly because of creative differences.  Patty Jenkins, who directed Charlize Theron to a "Best Actress" Oscar in Monster (2003), is stepping in.  Jenkins was previously tapped to direct Thor: The Dark World before she left over creative differences.

From Variety:  Why MacLauren left "Wonder Woman."

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From Variety:  Article about Michelle MacLauren's departure from "Wonder Woman" film.

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From Forbes:  News on the first "Batman Vs. Superman" trailer and other trailers.

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From Variety:  Olivia Munn to play "Psylocke" in "X-Men: Apocalypse."

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From BleedingCool:  New Ant-Man trailer and two new Avengers: Age of Ultron.

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From ScreenRant:  X-Men: Days of Future Past is now on HBO.  Here is an article about Anna Paquin/Rogue's scenes that were cut from the film.


FROM STAR WARS:

From Polygon:  Second trailer from "Star Wars: The Force Awaken."

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From YahooGames:  About Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel at Star Wars Celebration.

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From FlickeringMyth:  A list of characters that have filmed scenes for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.


OBITS:

From YahooMusic: Singer and songwriter Percy Sledge died in Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the age of 74.  He is known for his legendary 1966 #1 song, "When a Man Loves a Woman," which appeared in several films, including the Oscar-winner, Platoon (1986) and The Crying Game (1992).  He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

SuBLime Releases First Volume of the Yaoi Manga, "The World's Greatest Love"

VIZ MEDIA’S GLOBAL YAOI IMPRINT SUBLIME LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED MANGA SERIES THE WORLD’S GREATEST FIRST LOVE

Savor One Of Yaoi’s Most Popular Series About A Handsome Young Man Who Rekindles A Long Lost Love With An Old Flame

San Francisco, CA – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga imprint of leading North American manga publisher VIZ Media, announces its first print release of 2015 with the debut of THE WORLD'S GREATEST FIRST LOVE, now available.

The acclaimed series by famed yaoi creator Shungiku Nakamura about a passionate romance between a manga editor and his boss is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers. Individual volumes will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN with future editions of the continuing series set for publication on a bi-monthly basis.

When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled to learn his new boss is an old flame. Ritsu's determined to leave all that in the past—but how can he when his boss is just as determined that they have a future? In the series’ opening volume, tired of accusations that family connections got him his current position, Ritsu Onodera quits his job as an editor at his father's company and transfers to Marukawa Publishing. Once there, he is assigned to the shojo manga editorial department – something he has no interest in and no experience with! Having sworn he'd never fall in love again, the last thing he wants to do is work on love stories. To make matters worse, it turns out that his overbearing boss, Masamune Takano, is actually his first love from high school!

“THE WORLD'S GREATEST FIRST LOVE has been the most consistently requested title for English release and we are very excited for its addition to the SuBLime catalog,” says SuBLime Editor Jennifer LeBlanc. “Shungiku Nakamura is one of the most renowned creators within the yaoi genre and her story about a handsome young man discovering that his new boss is actually an old boyfriend is sure to captivate readers.”

Shungiku Nakamura is one of the most popular yaoi creators worldwide. She is best known for her series Junjo Romantica, which was adapted into both an anime series and drama CD. Her current series, THE WORLD'S GREATEST FIRST LOVE, appears in Japan in Emerald magazine and has been adapted into an anime series. Her other English-language title, Hybrid Child, is also being turned into an anime release.

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at www.SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga and Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga.


About SuBLime
SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher presenting English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide available at www.SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in Download-to-Own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide.

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Don Rosa, Stan Sakai Added to 2015 Baltimore Comic-Con Guest List

Conley, Rosa, Sakai, and Zahler Come to Baltimore Comic-Con in 2015

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Come to Baltimore's beautiful Inner Harbor on September 25-27, 2015 for the 16th annual Baltimore Comic-Con. Being held at the Baltimore Convention Center from Friday through Sunday, we are pleased to announce the return of Steve Conley, Don Rosa, Stan Sakai, and Thom Zahler.

Long-time friend of the show, Harvey and Eisner Award nominee, and guest since our inception in 2000 (!), artist and writer Steve Conley has contributed to numerous comic titles, both printed and on-line. His Astounding Space Thrills was self-published, published by Image Comics, and collected as a trade paperback by IDW. He has been featured in titles such as JLA-Z from DC Comics, Star Trek: Year Four from IDW, and Michael Chabon's Amazing Adventures of the Escapist from Dark Horse Comics. His latest endeavor, Bloop, is available for purchase from his web store and free to read online.

Eisner Award-winning Don Rosa can hardly be mentioned without evoking images of Walt Disney's Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck, and the rest of the Duck family. Heir apparent to Carl Barks as the Duck master, he was responsible for approximately 90 stories before his retirement from working with Disney in 2006. You can see his beautiful contributions in IDW's Don Rosa's The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, Vol.1: Artist's Edition.

Best known as writer and artist for his Usagi Yojimbo title, Stan Sakai first created and published it in 1984, launching in Albedo, a self-published anthology, followed by an appearance in Critters from Fantagraphics in 1985, and finally as its own series from the same publisher in 1987, all in black & white. In 1993, Usagi made the jump to color at Mirage Publishing, and moved to Dark Horse in 1996, where it remains to this day. Nearly 30 years of Usagi Yojimbo have seen print in book, TV, and digital formats.

Thom Zahler is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. His early professional credits included lettering gigs for Marvel's Crimson Dynamo, Claypool's Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and DC Comics' Looney Tunes. His self-published comic, Love and Capes, has recently been released through IDW, You can find his latest work writing and penciling IDW's My Little Pony and My Little Pony: Friends Forever series, and new series, Long Distance, will be available from IDW this summer.

"These four guys are not only fan-favorites, they're some of our favorites as well," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "These gentlemen bring great, accessible work for kids ages 3 through 103, and the crowds love them all."

This year's confirmed guests for the show include: Neal Adams (All-New Captain America); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Christy Blanch (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood); Mark Buckingham (Fables); Sean Chen (Secret Origins); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Jungle Girl); Steve Conley (Bloop); Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn); Katie Cook (Gronk); Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Cully Hamner (Convergence: The Question); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets); Klaus Janson (Superman); Dave Johnson (Inhumans: Attilan Rising); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Denis Kitchen (The Best of Comix Book: When Marvel Went Underground); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Seth Kushner (Schmuck); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Tom Palmer (The Avengers); Jimmy Palmiotti (The Con Job); Dan Parent (Archie); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Don Rosa (Donald Duck); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Matteo Scalera (Black Science); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Andy Smith (Earth 2); Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans); Ben Templesmith (Gotham by Midnight); Frank Tieri (Suicide Squad); Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps); John Totleben (Swamp Thing); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Mark Waid (Daredevil); John Watson (Red Sonja); Kelly Yates (Doctor Who); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com- for exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 16th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 10 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

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FUNinmation Entertainment Announces "PS4 App"

FUNimation Entertainment Launches On Playstation®4

New PS4(TM) App for Its Streaming Service Introduces Several Key Features; PS3(TM) App Upgraded

FLOWER MOUND, Texas /PRNewswire/ -- Anime fans got some big news recently, when FUNimation Entertainment, the leading source of Japanese anime, released the new PS4 app for its streaming service in the US and Canada. Now fans can check out all their favorite anime, including the new spring simulcast shows, on the free FUNimation PS4 app.

The new PS4 app introduces a long list of new features including video queuing, history syncing with FUNimation.com, autoplay, search capability and episode progress bar indicators. Users of the app will enjoy intelligent bookmarking so they will never have to remember where they left off in a series. FUNimation has also upgraded its current PS3(TM) app to mirror the PS4 version along with the addition of remote control support.

"We offer fans the ability to watch their anime wherever and whenever they want -- and we are pleased to offer this additional viewing platform to better serve their lifestyles," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO of Group 1200 Media, parent company of FUNimation Entertainment. "They want more choices and better value, and we are thrilled that this app's ease of use will allow for a great viewing experience."

All-AccessPass members can watch FUNimation's entire library of content -- the latest simulcast shows, exclusive English dubs of current series airing in Japan (called Broadcast Dubs), and an almost endless catalog of dubbed or subbed anime episodes and movies -- all in uninterrupted high quality video. SubPass members can watch the latest simulcast shows, as well as a huge library of subtitled content, also in HD, commercial-free. FreePass members can check out a variety of current simulcasts and sign up for a free 14-day trial. FUNimation's programming is available on multiple platforms, including the PS4 and PS3 systems, Xbox 360, Roku, iOS, and Android. Paid subscription pricing starts as low as $3.33 per month. 

For more information, visit www.funimation.com/playstation.

In addition to its subscription service, FUNimation connects fans with their favorite anime shows and movies in theaters, on DVD, and on TV. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com.


About FUNimation(®) Entertainment
FUNimation(®) Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. They manage a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, Internet, and home video sales and distribution.

PlayStation, PS4, PS3, Roku and other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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Eisner Award-Winning "Green River Killer" in Paperback October 2015

THE ULTIMATE TRUE-CRIME STORY RETURNS

‘GREEN RIVER KILLER’ STRIKES AGAIN IN PAPERBACK

MILWAUKIE, OR—This October, experience the story of one of America’s most notorious killers as Green River Killer heads to paperback for the first time.

Throughout the 1980s, the highest priority of Seattle-area police was the apprehension of the Green River Killer, the man responsible for the murders of dozens of women. In 1990, with the body count numbering at least forty-eight, the case was put in the hands of a single detective, Tom Jensen. After twenty years, when the killer was finally captured with the help of DNA technology, Jensen spent 180 days interviewing Gary Leon Ridgway in an effort to learn his most closely held secrets—an epic confrontation with evil that proved as disturbing and surreal as can be imagined.

Written by Jensen’s own son, acclaimed entertainment writer Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer: A True Detective Story presents the ultimate insider’s account of America’s most prolific serial killer.

Sure to appeal to fans of True Detective, Green River Killer features a story by Tomorrowland writer Jeff Jensen and gorgeous art by Jonathan Case and is priced at an affordable $19.99. Preorder today from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or your local comic shop.

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story TPB
Jeff Jensen (W), Jonathan Case (A/Cover)
$19.99, 978-1-61655-812-3
On sale October 21, 2015

Praise for Green River Killer:

“Terrific. It’s got the scariest opening sequence I’ve read in years, and the novel as a whole makes compelling stay-up-late reading. Great, creepy stuff.”—Stephen King

“Disturbingly true and refreshingly original . . . My gut was wrenched and I loved every second of it.”—Damon Lindelof (Lost)

“Jeff Jensen’s journalistic eye for detail and Jonathan Case’s exquisitely paced visual storytelling combine to make a true-crime epic.”—Brian K. Vaughan (Saga)


About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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Second "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Trailer is "Utterly Magical"

See it here: http://www.polygon.com/2015/4/16/8428327/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-new