Do You Want a Customized Minion?

Build-A-Bear Debuts Customizable Minions Collection

Exclusive, Make-Your-Own Plush Based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions, in Theaters July 10, 2015

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Build-A-Bear (NYSE: BBW), an interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today that the company will produce a line of exclusive, make-your-own plush based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions, in theaters July 10, 2015. The collection will feature Minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob and will be added to Build-A-Bear’s summer season lineup, available in stores nationwide on May 22, 2015.

    “Our Minions line is a unique, customizable offering, where guests can choose their own costumes, sounds, and of course, participate in our signature heart ceremony to make their Minion their own”

The Build-A-Bear Minions collection, available online and in stores, will include a variety of costume options, including the Minions’ signature denim overalls and rubber boots, along with three era costumes as featured in the film. As guests make their new plush friends, they can choose from a selection of pre-recorded sounds based on each character’s own popular sayings or add their own personal message on a Build-A-Sound® recordable chip.

“Our Minions line is a unique, customizable offering, where guests can choose their own costumes, sounds, and of course, participate in our signature heart ceremony to make their Minion their own,” said Jennifer Kretchmar, chief product officer, Build-A-Bear Workshop. “Our collaboration with Universal and Illumination is testament to yet another way we are providing memorable experiences for our store guests.”

Build-A-Bear's new Minions collection includes:

•     Minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob. Pricing starts at $25.
•     Outfits and accessories sold separately, including era costume sets: Pirate, Gone Batty (Vampire) and Peace Brother Minion.

About Minions
The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters — from T. rex to Napoleon — the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he — alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob — ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind...from annihilation.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, Minions is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film. www.minionsmovie.com

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. There are approximately 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. The Company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the seventh year in a row in 2015. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $392.4 million in fiscal 2014. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the Investor Relations section of its Web site at buildabear.com®.

About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal’s consumer product and digital licensing for Universal Pictures, NBC Television, Focus Features and Sprout Channel. This dedicated division is also responsible for film, home entertainment and television promotions. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of all-audience event films. In July 2010, Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, released its first film, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell, which earned more than $540 million worldwide and launched a beloved global franchise. With the success of 2011’s Hop (over $183 million worldwide), 2012’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and 2013’s juggernaut Despicable Me 2— the year’s third-highest-grossing film at the worldwide box office—Illumination’s films have made almost $2 billion. Universal and Illumination’s next film Minions, starring Academy Award®-winner Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, written by Brian Lynch, and directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, arrives in theaters on July 10, 2015. Fans may also experience Minion Mayhem in 3D with the Ultra-HD movie motion simulator adventure at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

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Dairy Queen Announces "Jurassic World" Promotion

The Dairy Queen System Announces Jurassic Smash Blizzard and Promotional Partnership for Jurassic World

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment Film to be Released in North America on June 12, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dairy Queen® system, the international retail food and treat category leader and part of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B), today announced a strategic marketing partnership for Jurassic World, the long-awaited next installment of Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking Jurassic Park series.

    “We have six specially designed Blizzard® cups inspired by movie moments, in-store signage and point-of-sale materials worthy of selfies, our film-inspired Jurassic Smash Blizzard® Treat and Jurassic Snack Wrap Duos, all of which promise an adventure in every bite.”

“Beginning May 25, 2015, our fans can visit participating Dairy Queen® and DQ Grill & Chill® restaurants to experience some of the unique and creative ways we are bringing Jurassic World to life in our locations,” said Tim Hawley, Vice President of Marketing Communications for American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ). “We have six specially designed Blizzard® cups inspired by movie moments, in-store signage and point-of-sale materials worthy of selfies, our film-inspired Jurassic Smash Blizzard® Treat and Jurassic Snack Wrap Duos, all of which promise an adventure in every bite.”

This is the first major motion picture collaboration for the iconic treat leader in more than 20 years and comes as the brand celebrates its 75th anniversary. The DQ marketing campaign for Jurassic World, includes television and digital advertising as well as social media and PR support.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Universal Pictures for the new Jurassic World promotion,” said Hawley. “Like the Dairy Queen system, the Jurassic Park franchise has a tremendous fan base and incredible staying power. This is a spectacular cross-promotional, retail marketing program for us to kick off the summer season and it is certainly one of the highlights of our 75th Fanniversary year.”

For more information about the Dairy Queen system, visit DairyQueen.com. Connect with the DQ system on Twitter using #LOVEmyDQ and at twitter.com/dairyqueen. Visit the DQ Facebook fan page, which has more than 9.7 million friends and become a friend at facebook.com/dairyqueen.


About ADQ:
American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,400 Dairy Queen® stores in the United States, Canada and 25 other countries. ADQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

About Jurassic World:
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The screenplay is by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, and Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, and the story is by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

Jurassic World will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures on June 12, 2015. www.jurassicworld.com

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EPIX Adds Original, Scripted Series to its Lineup

EPIX Unveils Two New Original Series

Partners with Lionsgate on “Graves” and Paramount Television on “Berlin Station” to Produce First Two Original Series on EPIX

Production to Begin this Fall with Premieres Fall 2016

Third Original Series Coming from MGM to be Announced Soon

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX announced that it is adding original, scripted series to its programming slate, beginning with series from its joint-venture studio partners Paramount, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Two of the series will begin production this fall for premiere autumn 2016. The series, “Graves” from Lionsgate Television and “Berlin Station” from Paramount Television, mark the first original series that will appear on EPIX across its channels, EPIX On Demand, EPIX.com and TV Everywhere platforms with its distribution partners. A third original series from MGM will be announced in the near future.

    “Olen is among the most respected espionage voices of our time, and Michael has a seasoned and distinct command of noir. Together, they make the ideal creative team to collaborate with on this sophisticated and gritty modern day spy thriller”
Commenting on the original series, Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX said, “Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM are great partners, investors and supporters of our network and are proven leaders in television entertainment. Tapping into the creative talents of these entertainment power-houses to deliver this kind of compelling programming is exactly what we had envisioned when we created this joint-venture and launched the channel. Our focus was on business success and profitability first and having established that firm business foundation, we are now in a position to launch our original series with these two great shows from Lionsgate and Paramount and a third on the way from MGM.”

Added Jocelyn Diaz, Executive Vice President for Original Programming, “Original series provide a platform to build our brand and distinguish our offering. We are proud of the level of quality and sophistication of these projects and are thrilled to announce them today with our partners.”

“Berlin Station” is an hour-long, 10-part espionage drama series that will be produced in partnership with Paramount Television. Academy Award nominee Michaël Roskam ("Bullhead," "The Drop") will executive produce the straight-to-series order and is set to direct the first two episodes. American spy novelist Olen Steinhauer (The Cairo Affair, All The Old Knives) will write and executive produce the series. Academy Award winner Eric Roth ("House of Cards," "The Insider," "Munich") and Anonymous Content (“True Detective,” “The Knick”) will also serve as executive producers.

"Olen is among the most respected espionage voices of our time, and Michael has a seasoned and distinct command of noir. Together, they make the ideal creative team to collaborate with on this sophisticated and gritty modern day spy thriller," said Amy Powell, President, Paramount Television. "We also take great pride in partnering with the distinguished and prolific storyteller Eric Roth and the talented team at EPIX on developing an inspired original series that is reflective of the network’s commitment to high quality entertainment."

“Berlin Station” follows Daniel Meyer, a newly anointed case officer who has arrived at the CIA foreign station in Berlin, Germany. It with a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a now-famous whistleblower named “Thomas Shaw." Guided by jaded veteran Hector DeJean, Daniel learns to contend with the rough-and-tumble world of the field agent—agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises. As he dives deeper into the German capital's hall of mirrors and uncovers the threads of a conspiracy that leads back to Washington, Daniel wonders: Can anyone ever be the same after a posting to Berlin?

Michaël Roskum is represented by Anonymous Content’s Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett, and UTA and attorney Alan Wertheimer. Olen Steinhauer is represented by Jill Gillett and Sylvie Rabineau at RWSG. Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett from Anonymous Content will also be executive producers of the series.

“Graves” is a single camera, half-hour comedy starring Oscar-nominated Nick Nolte as a former President of the United States. Twenty years after his presidency, former President Richard Graves has the epiphany that his policies have damaged the country for decades and so, with his young assistant, he goes on a Don Quixote-like journey to right his administration's wrongs just as his wife, the former First Lady, decides to follow her own political ambitions.

The 10-episode, straight-to-series order will be produced in partnership with Lionsgate TV. Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) created the project and will write, direct and executive produce the series. Oscar-winning producer Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker) will also be an executive producer.

"'Graves' is a perfect vehicle to usher EPIX into premium scripted programming, and we look forward to delivering high end quality content for years to come," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. "'Graves' is a provocative comedy featuring a terrific script from writer/director Joshua Michael Stern, a consummate producer in Greg Shapiro and the brilliant and charismatic Nick Nolte as a former U.S. President whose conscience catches up with him with tragic and comic results. It is perfectly timed to premiere in an election year and marks a new chapter in the successful evolution of EPIX as a leading premium cable platform."

Nick Nolte is represented by CAA and Jackoway Tyerman. Joshua Michael Stern is represented by Paradigm and AJ Brandenstein at Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, LLP. Greg Shapiro is represented by Darren Trattner at Jackoway Tyerman.

EPIX and MGM are finalizing an agreement on an original series that will add to the network’s programming line-up. Specific details will be announced in the near future.

“We are working with EPIX to develop our next exciting series and look forward to bringing our signature style and storytelling to EPIX soon,” said Roma Khanna, President of MGM Television Group and Digital. “From Vikings to Fargo, MGM Television is the force behind some of the most exciting and award-winning series currently on television.”

In addition to the new scripted series, EPIX will continue to present original documentaries and docu-series (Deep Web, NHL Road to the Winter Classic and Stadium Series), comedy specials (Russell Brand, Jim Norton, Jim Breuer, Lisa Lampanelli) and music events (Katy Perry: Prismatic Tour), along with new movies (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Selma, Interstellar) and thousands of titles from partner studios and other sources.


About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and was the first premium network to launch on XBox 360, PlayStation® 3 and 4, Android phones and tablets, Windows 8.1 and Roku® players. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Chromecast and Apple® iPads® and iPhones® and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

About Paramount Television
Paramount Television develops and finances a wide range of creative television programming across all media platforms. Paramount Television is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a subsidiary of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a global content company with premier television, film and digital entertainment brands.

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, channel platforms and international distribution and sales. The Company currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black and the breakout series The Royals.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Age of Adaline, John Wick, Now You See Me, CBS Films/Lionsgate’s The DUFF, Roadside Attractions' A Most Wanted Man, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

About MGM Television
MGM Television is a leading producer and global distributor of content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles covering some of entertainment's premiere franchises including the James Bond franchise and “The Hobbit” trilogy. Current television projects include the hit series “Vikings,” currently in production on its fourth season on HISTORY; the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning limited series “Fargo,” a co-production with FX Productions, currently in production on year 2, and season five of “Teen Wolf” debuting in June 2015 on MTV. In addition, MGM Television serves as the syndicator for "Right This Minute" and “Let’s Ask America.” Through its finance and distribution entity, Orion TV Productions’ courtroom series "Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” is currently in production on its third season. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

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Tate Taylor to Bring Bestseller, "The Girl on the Train," to the Big Screen

Tate Taylor Returns to DreamWorks to Direct “The Girl on the Train,” #1 New York Times Bestselling Novel

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tate Taylor, who directed DreamWorks Studios’ Oscar®-winning film, “The Help,” returns to direct its adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel, “The Girl on the Train.”

    “I'm honored to be a part of this.”

DreamWorks acquired the rights to Paula Hawkins’ debut thriller in 2014, prior to the novel’s publication, and set Erin Cressida Wilson to adapt for the screen. Marc Platt will produce the film, while Jared LeBoff of Marc Platt Productions will serve as executive producer. In “The Girl on the Train,” Rachel, who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds.

“With ‘The Help,’ Tate deftly adapted a beloved novel into a compelling film that stayed true to its origin while pleasing fans and moviegoers alike,” said Holly Bario, President of Production at DreamWorks Studios. “We are excited to have Tate back at DreamWorks and thrilled that he’s joining us on this journey as we bring another bestseller to theaters.”

"Bringing rich material to the screen in the filmmaker friendly environment DreamWorks provides is a director's dream,” said Tate Taylor. “I'm honored to be a part of this."

“The Girl on the Train,” is the fastest selling adult novel in history with over two million copies sold in the United States alone since it was published in January by Riverhead Books. It landed in the top spot on the New York Times bestsellers list its first week and has remained on there for the past 17 weeks straight.

Tate Taylor wrote and directed “The Help,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture with Octavia Spencer winning for Best Supporting Actress. His screenplay for the civil rights era film was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay by BAFTA and the WGA, which also recognized him with the Paul Selvin Honorary Award for his script. Most recently he directed the James Brown bio-pic, “Get on Up.”


About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include Spielberg's "Lincoln," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. The film has grossed over $180 million at the U.S. box office and was nominated for twelve Academy Awards® with Daniel Day-Lewis winning for Best Actor. Other releases include “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” starring Helen Mirren, Steven Spielberg’s "War Horse," based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and "The Help," which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award® nominations with Octavia Spencer winning for Best Supporting Actress.

DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.

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Titan Comics Revives "The Light & Darkness War"

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: TOM VEITCH - THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS WAR

“A ravishingly beautiful book!” Andy Diggle (Thief Of Thieves, Hellblazer)

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT is a feature designed to provide an insight into the brilliant minds behind Titan Comics’ upcoming creator-owned titles.

May 27th sees the release of The Light and Darkness War a truly classic saga created by the Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy, - the acclaimed team behind the legendary Star Wars spin-off series, Dark Empire - this riveting and wondrously illustrated tale has been fully restored and remastered, and is packed with stunning new arts and in-depth features!

In this expansive interview, Owen Johnson – Senior Marketing & Press Officer discusses with writer Tom Veitch his the origins of the graphic novel, the reasons it was created, and what readers can expect from this brand-new edition

OWEN: WHY COMICS?

TOM VEITCH: If you have ever watched a child pick up a comic book, you know how totally involving comics can be. They connect directly to the visual centers of the brain and to the parts of us where imagination comes from. Visual storytelling has existed since the stone age. The prose novel didn't exist before the 18th century (although it descended from traditions as old as campfire storytelling). Stories told with images were painted on cave walls and had become a formalized method of record-keeping and communication by the time of the Egyptians. Modern comics are a continuation of that ancient artform.

OWEN: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE LIGHT & DARKNESS WAR?

TOM VEITCH: The Light and Darkness War came out of my anger and sadness over the Vietnam War and what it did to an entire generation of men. As Steve Bissette notes in his Afterword, The Light and Darkness War is an outgrowth of underground comix about the Vietnam War I did with artist Greg Irons, especially "The Story of Vince Shazam."  Most significantly, perhaps, the story also arose from my intense dream-life and my own belief in an afterlife.

OWEN: WHAT CAN READERS EXPECT FROM THE COMIC?

TOM VEITCH: Our central character, Lazarus Jones, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, suffers from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Basically he is eaten up inside by what the war did to him, and by the loss of his brothers-in-arms who died when their Huey helicopter gunship crashed and burned. Laz survived that crash with both his legs amputated, and is cared for by his loving wife Chris. As the story develops, Laz is drawn into a visionary connection to an afterlife universe where earth-side warriors go when they die in battle. He finds his friends, and they invite him to join them in fighting a 10,000 year war with the forces of darkness. Laz joins the fight, and the action spins out of that.

Our mythic hypothesis is that Heaven and Hell don't exist. What exists beyond the wall of death are alternate universes that are actually created or imagined by the billions of people who have gone before us. After people die they join these collective visions of other worlds, good vs. evil, or perhaps realms of peace and pleasure. But warriors who die in battle on earth have dreamed up an entire galaxy at war -- a war in which weapons from all the ages of mankind are still being used.

I've written a background briefing which is appended to this collected edition. That essay, together with Cam's terrific sketchwork, will give you an idea of the detail we have gone into in imagining the context of this tale. It was fun to do, and I have to admit I thought of myself as Tolkien's kid brother, smoking my clay pipe by the fire as I dreamed up an entire universe!

OWEN: WHAT ARE YOUR KEY INFLUENCES?

TOM VEITCH: The list is very long. Tolkien of course. And the great science fiction writers of the 1950s, including the EC sci-fi artists and writers. For visual storytelling, nobody can match the influence on me of Carl Barks and Jack Kirby. There's also no doubt the Star Wars films were a big influence. But curiously enough, Star Wars was heavily influenced by the same sources I cited earlier -- especially Kirby's "Fourth World" stories.

OWEN: WHAT DOES CREATING THIS COMIC BOOK MEAN TO YOU?

TOM VEITCH: Writing it was a privilege, because of the freedom we had has creator-owners of the property. And getting to work with Cam was another privilege. He's a wonderful man, high-spirited and with a great sense of humor. To top it off, he's just about the best war artist going. And I was fortunate that he's the kind of artist who prefers to work with a writer! We hit it off very well. After showing The Light and Darkness War to George Lucas, we went on to create Star Wars: Dark Empire together. The international phone bills for several years were just insane. Fortunately I also have a huge file of our written correspondence from the years before everybody switched to e-mail.

End of Q&A

THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS WAR
STORY: Tom Veitch; ART: Cam Kennedy
208 - FC - $24.99 On-sale: May 27th

FROM INDUSTRY LEGENDS TOM VEITCH (STAR WARS, ANIMAL MAN) AND CAM KENNEDY (DAREDEVIL, 2000AD)

PACKED WITH NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN CONCEPT ART, COVER GALLERIES AND SKETCHBOOKS

Doorgunner Lazarus Jones is consumed with nightmares and grief after his helicopter crew is killed in Vietnam. Spiralling into depression and alcoholism, Laz crosses the threshold between life and death, only to find himself battling once more alongside his lost comrades, in the ultimate war between Good and Evil...

"In the spirit of some great books like Alien Legion and Cluster, The Light and Darkness War delivers on some gritty action." The Pullbox

"Pulls, pushes and shocks you backwards and forwards through states of reality and dream with words and visuals...Beautiful stuff indeed." - Down the Tubes

IN COMIC STORES MAY 27, 2015

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Negromancer New Bits and Bites for the Week of May 17th to 23rd, 2015 - Update #12

NEWS:

From Gawker:  This can't be real - Bill O'Reilly: wife beater.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Josh Duggar, one of Jim Bob and Michelle's 19 kids, has been accused and also investigated for child molestation, including committing those acts against his younger female siblings.

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From Collider:  At Cannes, John Lasseter previews "Finding Dory," "Toy Story 4," and more.

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From Moviesdotcom:  Chris Pratt talks about what movies he will be in going forward and what is bull-crap.

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From TheWrap:  Peter Saarsgard joins Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in MGM's remake of The Magnificent Seven to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.

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From YahooTV:  Melissa McCarthy addresses sexist critic.

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From Variety:  The winner of the May 15th to 17th, 2015 is Pitch Perfect 2 with an estimated haul of $70.3.  The first film only made $65 million during its entire theatrical run, although the film has been big in its move to home entertainment.  The other new film, Mad Max: Fury Road made an estimated $44.4 million, with Avengers: Age of Ultron finishing third with $38.8, after two weeks at #1.

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From Variety:  Jude Law headed to TV with "The Young Pope," which will air on HBO in America.

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From YahooMovies:  Matthew McConaughey defends Gus Van Sant's "Sea of Trees," at Cannes 2015, where critics are having fun reviling it.


TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  The Maze Runner sequel: The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.


MISC:

From VillageVoice:  A review of Dark Star, a documentary about the late surrealist artist, H.R. Giger.

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From Salon:  Roger Waters responds to Dionne Warwick.

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From YahooNews:  Jay Z and Beyonce put their money where their mouths are.

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From YahooNews: This is probably the closest most will get to seeing a naked Mitt Romeny - shirtless, sweaty, and fight Evander Holyfield.

VIZ Media Offering Free Chapters of Popular Digital Manga Titles

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES A SPECIAL PROMOTION OFFERING FREE CHAPTERS OF POPULAR VIZ MANGA DIGITAL TITLES

For A Limited Time Manga Fans Can Enjoy Chapters From ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, BLEACH, FOOD WARS, NARUTO And ONE PIECE For FREE On VIZManga.com

VIZ Media offers North American fans a special invitation to sample a variety of manga titles for FREE that will be available for a limited time beginning on May 18th from the VIZManga.com digital platform.

Readers can enjoy free chapters from several acclaimed manga series including the sci-fi battlefield drama of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, the supernatural action of BLEACH, kitchen battles in FOOD WARS!, the adventures of the world’s most popular ninja in NARUTO, and the high seas pirate exploits of ONE PIECE. All of these series are available on VIZManga.com and via the VIZ MANGA App for the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and tablets. Similar manga promotions also may be available from VIZ Media digital partner sites.

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, Chapter 1 ”Keiji Kiriya” • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally – the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

BLEACH, Part 1 Chapter 1 ”Death and Strawberry”  • Rated ‘T’ for Teens

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts – he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow – a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. Find out why Tite Kubo's BLEACH has become an international manga smash-hit!

BLEACH, Part 2 Chapter 1 “Eyes of the Unknown”• Rated ‘T’ for Teens

Ichigo and his friends return to the world of the living, where life goes on as usual. But the arrival of a new transfer student raises disturbing questions, for outside school he carries a Zanpakutô and wears the mask of a Hollow…

FOOD WARS!, Chapter 1 “Endless Wilderness” • Rated ‘T+ for Older Teens’
Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?!

NARUTO, Part 1 Chapter 1 “Uzumaki Naruto!”• Rated ‘T’ for Teens

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja!

NARUTO, Part 2 Chapter 1 “Homecoming!!” • Rated ‘T’ for Teens

It's been two years since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya. Now he reunites with his old friends to find out he's still not the most accomplished of his former teammates. But when one of them is kidnapped, it's up to Naruto to prove he's got the stuff to save them!

ONE PIECE, Part 1 Chapter 1 “Romance Dawn”• Rated ‘T’ for Teens

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally gained the power to stretch like rubber…at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years, later, Luffy sets off in search of the "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in the world...

ONE PIECE, Part 2 Chapter 2 “The Pledge” • Rated ‘T’ for Teens

Now that they’ve reached the New World, the Straw Hat pirates are up against things they’ve never seen before! Dragons, centaurs and deadly samurai are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the true dangers of Punk Hazard! Can Luffy and his mates uncover the dark secrets of this mysterious island?!

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