Josh Trank Departs (is Fired from) "Star Wars" Anthology Film

Josh Trank Departs Star Wars Anthology Film
Josh Trank, who was attached to direct the second Star Wars Anthology film, has decided to depart the project.

Trank said, “After a year of having the incredible honor of developing with the wonderful and talented people at Lucasfilm, I’m making a personal decision to move forward on a different path. I’ve put a tremendous amount of thought into this, and I know deep down in my heart that I want to pursue some original creative opportunities. That said, the Star Wars universe has always been one of my biggest influences, and I couldn’t be more excited to witness its future alongside my millions of fellow Star Wars fans. I want to thank my friends Kathleen Kennedy, Kiri Hart, Simon Kinberg, and everyone at Lucasfilm and Disney for the amazing opportunity to have been a part of this. May the Force be with you all.”

Lucasfilm VP of Development Kiri Hart said “It was a privilege to collaborate with Josh.  We are grateful for the energy and love of Star Wars that he brought to the process, and we wish him all the best.”

The Star Wars team is continuing to develop the project.

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"Mayday" Comic Book Headed to Television

Heroes' Tim Kring, Imperative Entertainment & Black Mask team for 'Mayday' Adaptation

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Imperative Entertainment, the company run by "Heroes" creator, Tim Kring, as well as Dan Friedkin, Farrelly Brothers producer Bradley Thomas, and Zak Kadison, is joining forces with Black Mask Studios for a scripted TV adaptation of MAYDAY, the new comic from red-hot writer Curt Pires (POP, THEREMIN) and breakout artist Chris Peterson (GRINDHOUSE, upcoming BROKEN WORLD), which Black Mask co-founders Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz will executive produce alongside Imperative.

The intent is to adapt the material for a scripted television series.

MAYDAY lives in the underbelly of the Hollywood scene, where a washed-up, drug-addicted screenwriter and a transgender bartender stumble onto a Satanic cult’s plan to sacrifice people all across LA and bring on Armageddon. As our damaged heroes embark on a suicide mission to stop the crazy cultists, they begin to wonder if this is all really happening or if they're just plain crazy… Probably both.

MAYDAY marks Black Mask's latest foray into TV, joining the adaptations of Steve Niles and Christopher Mittens' THE DISCIPLES in development with Wes Craven at Universal Cable Productions and Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham's FIVE GHOSTS in development with UCP and BenderSpink at Syfy where Evan Daugherty (Snow White And The Huntsman) is writing the pilot.

Imperative and Black Mask are currently out to writers to adapt MAYDAY. Imperative sees the show as a perfect fit for their multi-platform business model, which includes the ability to finance the series, feature films, book series, and video games.

MAYDAY #1 hit stores on April 29, 2015. It's currently sold out at Diamond Distribution, but still available at some retailers. If your local comic shop is sold out, ask them to back-order it using Diamond order code JAN151091.


About Black Mask Studios
Black Mask Studios is a publishing/production company that specializes in working with creators interested in utilizing technology to reach a range of audiences across multiple media platforms. Launched in 2013 by Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, ANTI- Records), Steve Niles (30 DAYS OF NIGHT), and Matt Pizzolo (GODKILLER), the company's mandate is to support unique creators and expand their audiences. Black Mask is currently developing the scripted series FIVE GHOSTS at UCP and Syfy and THE DISCIPLES with Wes Craven at UCP, and recently launched its 2015 publishing slate which features new works by Grant Morrison, Vanesa Del Rey, Matthew Rosenberg, and Steve Niles.

About Imperative Entertainment
Imperative Entertainment is a next generation entertainment studio focusing on the development, production, and financing of original & branded entertainment across all media including film, television, video games, books, comics, and new media. Imperative was founded by Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Zak Kadison and Tim Kring in 2014. Imperative is currently producing HEROES REBORN for NBC among numerous other projects.

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Jamal Igle Needs Help with "Molly Danger: Book Two"

Jamal Igle needs your assistance.

Jamal Igle is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to produce the second book in the Molly Danger series. This is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mollydanger/molly-danger-book-two-graphic-album-and-audiobook.

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DC Comics Announces Pivotal #40 Issues for "Superman," "Batman" and "Justice League"

Earth-Shattering New Issues of BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, SUPERMAN and THE MULTIVERSITY Hit Shelves Leading to Blockbuster Free Comic Book Day Release
The Biggest Super Heroes in History Present Momentous, Oversized #40 Issues Today, Intersecting in Free Comic Book Day Special Issue May 2

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arriving on store shelves, oversized issues of the bestselling DC Comics series BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE and SUPERMAN deliver breathtaking events that will forever change the fate of the most revered characters ever created, and set the stage for further events in the special Free Comic Book Day issue DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE, arriving at comics retailers nationwide on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Comic fans can also experience the final chapter of Grant Morrison’s super hero epic, THE MULTIVERSITY.

The bestselling writer/artist team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo debuts the harrowing finale of “Endgame” in BATMAN #40 in which the Dark Knight and his allies (including some of his greatest foes) try to cure a Joker virus-infected Gotham City full of grinning maniacs. Batman has the ultimate showdown with The Joker to get the cure and save the city in a finale that’s shocking, game-changing and not to be missed!

As one climatic battle ends, an intergalactic war begins in JUSTICE LEAGUE #40 from celebrated writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok. The iconic team of Super Heroes face off against the most powerful entities in existence as a riveting, canon-changing adventure unfolds in this prologue to the blockbuster event, “The Darkseid War.”

He’s continued to bring Superman to life through his celebrated artwork, and now John Romita, Jr. will also write the newest issue of the bestselling series for the very first time in SUPERMAN #40. Writing and drawing this very special issue, Romita will helm the newest adventure when Superman tests his new power against an unlikely enemy – The Justice League.

All three of these fan-favorite series will intersect May 2 in the must-read Free Comic Book Day special issue, DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE. Not only will the results of the canon-changing events from these three issues unfold in this special issue, but award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang will also premiere his first installment as the new writer for SUPERMAN. Additional details, including a list of participating locations, can be found at www.freecomicbookday.com.

In THE MULTIVERSITY #2, Mastermind Grant Morrison teams up with Ivan Reis to bring fans the final chapter in the most mind-blowing super hero adventure of all time. THE MULTIVERSITY brings together the greatest and bravest heroes of the DC Multiverse to fight one last battle. But more than just a mere cabal of Super-Villains, they face the greatest evil that ever existed; an evil so massive, not even the magnitude of DC’s multiverse stands a chance against it! The final fates of the mystic hero Super Demon, the nightmare henchmen known as The Gentry and Nix Uotan, the Super-God, will all be revealed in this stunning finale to Morrison’s ultimate super hero tale.


About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

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SuBLime Manga Puts Yaoi on the "Love Stage"

GLOBAL YAOI PUBLISHER SuBLime LAUNCHES THE ROMANTIC COMEDY MANGA SERIES LOVE STAGE

An Average Guy With A Family Full Of Celebrities Dreams Only Of Becoming A Manga Creator Until Romance Intervenes And Catapults Him Back Into The Life Of A Cute Actor He Knows From Childhood

San Francisco – SuBLime, the leading global yaoi manga publisher in the English language, is proud to announce the launch of the romantic comedy LOVE STAGE!! on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015.

The yaoi manga series by noted creators Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou will be released in print and digital and is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers. Individual print volumes will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

A digital version of LOVE STAGE will also be available for an MSRP of $5.99 U.S.  each and will offer fans digital access to all volumes in two ways on SuBLimeManga.com – a DRM-free downloadable PDF that is viewable on any enabled eReader device and computer as well as via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

Though his family is packed with famous celebrities, Izumi Sena is just your average guy. Currently a college student, he is a huge otaku with aspirations of becoming a manga creator. But one day he gets roped into filming a TV commercial and meets hot young actor Ryoma Ichijo. Could this be the same boy he starred in a commercial with over ten years ago?!

LOVE STAGE!! has been adapted into a drama CD as well as a popular 10-episode anime series that is available both on DVD and via streaming in the U.S. The creators of the manga also publish doujinshi (independent comics) under the name "Kozouya.” Fans can find out more about Eiki Eiki and illustrator Taishi Zaou at their website, http://www.kozouya.com/.

“Fans have been very excited for this release ever since we first announced during our manga panel at last year’s YaoiCon plans to publish LOVE STAGE!!,” says SuBLime Editor Jennifer LeBlanc. “The series’ creators, Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou, are renowned among legions of yaoi and shojo manga fans for their collaborative works and we are thrilled to debut their first title for the SuBLime imprint!”

Eiki Eiki is the creator of numerous yaoi and shojo manga. Her previous English-language releases include Train★Train, Millennium Prime Minister, and The Art of Loving.

Manga illustrator Taishi Zaou’s works have been published in English, French, and German. Her previous English-language releases include Green Light, Fevered Kiss, Living For Tomorrow, Mysterious Love, and Electric Hands.

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


About SuBLime
SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher that presents English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime offers 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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LEGO, DK, and TNT's "The Last Ship" Sponsor Free Comic Book Day 2015

Free Comic Book Day 2015 is in one day!

Diamond Comics Distributors is happy to announce that DK, TNT’s "The Last Ship" and LEGO are sponsoring Free Comic Book Day by providing prizes for FCBD fans to enter to win on the FCBD Facebook page now through July. DK prizes include graphic novels for both adults and kids, LEGO is providing DC and Marvel Super Heroes sets and an exclusive The Last Ship comic will be distributed for free at certain participating FCBD comic shops on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015.

In case you didn’t see them, below are links to all the FCBD 2015 celebrity videos, encouraging fans to participate in Free Comic Book Day.

http://bit.ly/MarkHamill_FCBD2015

http://bit.ly/FCBD15_ComicBookMen

http://bit.ly/RobinLordTaylor_FCBD2015

http://bit.ly/FCBD2015_JasonMewes

http://bit.ly/FCBD2015_LawrenceGilliard

http://bit.ly/FCBD2015_ChadColeman

Malta Comic Convention Returns in December 2015

(Where Dreams Come True!)

It only comes once a year. But when it does it Rocks! Good vibes, friendly atmosphere, colourful costumes, smiling folk and the whole of St. James Cavalier buzzing with creative energy. You’re right! We are indeed talking about the Malta Comic Convention; the event you’ve all been waiting for! We’re back to make more of your dreams come true. Wicked Comics are proud to announce that the 7th edition of the Malta Comic Con will be held on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December 2015 at St. James Cavalier in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. The impressive venue was originally a bastion (part of the fortifications of the City) constructed by the Knights Hospitallers which was later converted to a vibrant Art’s and Creativity Centre.

“Way back in 2007 we dreamt of having a comic convention in Malta. So we held a small comic gathering to see if there were any more people who shared our dream. The amazing response we received confirmed that we were far from alone. So in 2009 we made this dream a reality and held the first comic convention on the Island. One we’ve been holding annually ever since. Many were the challenges we faced along the way, but thanks to the strong local and foreign support we are blessed with we continued to grow each year, improving on each passing show. So now we’re proud to say that the Malta Comic Convention is not just a viable platform for the multitude of talented creators that continue to exhibt each year, and a credible destination for comic symposium but also an entertaining event that brings joy to the lives of many. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the many people who each year help us realize this dream and promise to deliver another 2 fun-filled, exciting and memorable days” said Chris Le Galle co-founder of Wicked Comics.

The intimate and friendly atmosphere prevailent at the Malta Comic Con ensures that our visitors can spend quality time with their favourite creators who are always happy to chat, sign, sketch and create commisioned artwork for their fans. As customary, we will once again provide a varied guest roster of professional writers and artists who have worked on a number of popular characters for all the major comic publishers as well as other who have been publishing quality independent books. With virtually no queing the Malta Comic Con provides the ideal platform for fan-creator interaction. Complementing our guests will be a number of up and coming creators from abroad as well as a plethora of talented local creators promoting their exciting work.

The official Malta Comic Con Cosplay competition and the Fat Spidey Roaming Cosplay Awards will be returning. In addition to the various skits performed by our fabulous cosplayers, Marianne Galea and her Fantasy Showgirls will also be performing themed dances at the theatre. We’re also working on providing more interactive and cosplay oriented events which we will reveal in due time. Professional photographers will be available on both days for everyone in attendance who wishes to have some quality pictures takens. So get started on those wonderful costumes!

The video game area will once again be buzzing with activity ranging from retro to currents gaming and the fan favourite competitions will also be returning to determine the best gamers in Malta. There will also be more table top gaming than there has ever been before. Along with a number of gaming clubs and exciting game developers, the popular war gaming organization W.A.R.S will also be present running a variety of introductory table-top and role playing games. So both hardcore gamers and begginers can join the fun.

Free movies and animations will be running in the in house cinema for the duration of the show. Fans can also look forward to much more exciting and interactive activities such as quizes, sktech challenges, work shops, informative and entertaining talks, Q&As and discussion panels featuring a number of professional guests and moderated by leading pop culture journalists! Visitors can also feast their eyes on the majestic artwork of our guests comprised in the three official Malta Comic Con exhibitions we’ll be running during the show. To round things off nicely one of the Islands most popular comics retailer Pandora’s Box Collectables will be joining a number of other retailers in offering an assortment of comic related memorabilia. In other words there will be something fun for everyone!

Wicked Comics will also be offering a number of packages for fans wishing to travel to the Malta Comic Con from abroad, which include heavily discounted accommodation rates and local transport from hotel to convention centre. Similarly Wicked Comics have a number of packages tailored for foreign creators who wish to exhibit at the Malta Comic Con including heavily discounted tables.

Anyone wishing to know more about these packages, and local creators/retailers wishing to exhibit at the Malta Comic Con 2015 are kindly requested to email us for more details on info@maltacomic-con.com

For more details kindly visit: http://www.maltacomic-con.com and make sure to like our Facebook page to get the latest Malta Comic Con announcements: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Malta-Comic-Con/193667083985578?fref=ts

Testimonial from Malta Comic Con 2014 guest creator Steve Scott:

“My friends at Wicked Comics put on an amazing Pop Culture event with Malta Comic Con. It was a pleasure to have attended this past year and I look forward to returning this year with additional comic legends that are sure to create a lot of social media talk. Let’s make Malta Comic Con 2015 the best ever!” (Steve Scott, 2015)

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