Dark Horse Celebrates Four +1 Eisner Award Wins

SDCC 2015: DARK HORSE TAKES HOME MULTIPLE EISNER AWARDS

DARK HORSE WINS FOUR EISNER AWARDS PLUS ONE SHARED

MILWAUKIE, OR—This year at the 2015 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, Dark Horse Comics was honored with awards for Best Single Issue, Best U.S. Edition of International Material, Best Writer, Best Coloring, and Best Lettering.

Dark Horse was awarded the largest number of Eisners in 2015, with four wins plus one shared.

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot): Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson

Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Blacksad: Amarillo by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido

Best Writer: Gene Luen Yang, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse), The Shadow Hero (First Second)

Best Coloring: Dave Stewart, Hellboy in Hell, B.P.R.D., Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, The Shaolin Cowboy, Aliens: Fire and Stone, Dark Horse Presents

Best Lettering: Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist

Congratulations to all the Eisner winners and nominees for 2015!


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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"Star Trek Beyond" Cast Announce a Chance to Win a Walk-on Role

STAR TREK BEYOND CAST UNITES TO BRING AUDIENCES THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE: A CHANCE TO APPEAR IN THE UPCOMING FILM
Cast Members Announce “STAR TREK: TO BOLDLY GO” Campaign Benefitting the Cast’s Choice of Nine Global Causes

Beginning Today, Fans Can Visit Omaze.com/StarTrek to Enter for a Chance to Win!

View Cast Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-COeaGn5x0

HOLLYWOOD, CA – In an unprecedented event, the cast of the Star Trek film franchise has created a unique philanthropic initiative in partnership with Omaze. The Star Trek: To Boldly Go campaign will support the cast’s personal selection of nine global causes, which will each receive equal portions of the funds raised when fans enter for a chance to win a walk-on role in director Justin Lin’s Star Trek Beyond, the third film in the blockbuster franchise, released on July 8, 2016. The campaign runs from 12:01 a.m. PST on July 14th until 11:59 p.m. PST September 1st.

To coincide with the campaign’s launch, cast members John Cho, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin and Idris Elba recorded a special video message on the iconic Starship Enterprise bridge set. The video, released today, kicked off production and features the cast inviting fans to make franchise history as the first fans to ever win a walk-on role in a Star Trek movie. For each $10 contribution made through the Omaze fundraising platform, eligible participants will be automatically entered for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Check out the launch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-COeaGn5x0

The Star Trek: To Boldly Go Grand Prize winner and a guest will:

• Fly to Vancouver and stay in a 4-star hotel
• Go behind the scenes of Star Trek Beyond, hang with the cast, and experience the filming of the movie
• Be transformed by hair, makeup and costume teams into a Star Trek character and filmed for a scene in Star Trek Beyond

In addition to the Grand Prize Winner, six additional winners will be randomly selected throughout the campaign to form the honorary “Star Trek: To Boldly Go” crew. Star Trek: To Boldly Go is the first Omaze campaign to have winners every week.

The Star Trek: To Boldly Go Crew will:

• Visit the closed set and meet the cast of Star Trek Beyond
• Be among the first to see scenes from the latest film
• Travel to Vancouver

“Omaze is excited to bring this truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to Star Trek fans around the world,” said Ryan Cummins, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “We are proud to give fans the chance to live out their dream experience while simultaneously helping nine great causes. By allowing anyone to enter for just $10, we are seeing the power our community has in making an impact around the world.”

By donating directly to Omaze.com/StarTrek, fans will be supporting these nine global causes:

1. Brave Beginnings, an organization dedicated to ensuring that ventilators and life-saving neonatal equipment are always available to newborns in critical need. Nominated by Zoë Saldana.
2. Camp Sunshine, a place where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families can regroup, reenergize, and restore hope for the future. Nominated by Anton Yelchin.
3. Direct Relief International, one of the premiere disaster relief organizations that operates world­wide. Nominated by Zachary Quinto.
4. Heaven Homes, an organization helping establish children's homes and centers, while providing secure, safe and loving environments where children can be nurtured to realize their full potential. Nominated by Idris Elba.
5. KidsCan, an organization that provides food, clothing and healthcare to disadvantaged youth in New Zealand. Nominated by Karl Urban.
6. Koreatown Youth & Community Center, an organization serving the evolving needs of the Korean American population in the greater Los Angeles area as well as the multiethnic Koreatown community. Nominated by John Cho.
7. Make-A-Wish, whose remarkable work is making wishes come true every day for children suffering from life­threatening illnesses. Nominated by Chris Pine.
8. Time is Precious, an organization helping to create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for children, which in return helps assist with their treatment and recovery. Nominated by Simon Pegg.
9. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that is leading the way in advancing cures for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Nominated by Susan Nimoy in honor of Leonard Nimoy.

In addition, fans who donate set amounts larger than $10 can receive special limited edition Star Trek rewards including t-shirts, posters, a cast-autographed red shirt, an advanced private screening of Star Trek Beyond, and a replica Captain’s chair.

Visit Omaze.com/StarTrek to learn more about this new initiative. “Live long and prosper.”


ABOUT OMAZE
Founded by writer/filmmakers and friends from college, Matt Pohlson and Ryan Cummins, Omaze is an online social good platform that gives anyone the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences that also support social missions. Omaze offers its community of donors transformative experiences, remarkable causes and compelling content. For more information, please visit www.omaze.com.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

Star Trek: To Boldly Go Restrictions and Limitations
No purchase necessary to enter or win.  Void where prohibited.  Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your domicile, to enter and a resident of Argentina, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, USA, or the UK, and not a resident of Belgium, Italy, Malta, Singapore, or Thailand.  Residents of Australia, Brazil, China and the Republic of Korea are not prohibited from participating, but local rules and laws may restrict or prohibit the award of certain prizes or impose additional restrictions on participation.

Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes.  Rewards are limited in quantity. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. For free entry: (i) send post card to Sponsor at P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA, USA 90232 by applicable mail date; or (ii) visitwww.Omaze.com/StarTrek.  Entrants may receive additional entries via Facebook.  Maximum number of entries: 1,000,000 per Entrant.  Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change.  Winner and Guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check, to receive the prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are Winner’s responsibility. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®.  Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify.  For full entry requirements, details, limitations and restrictions see Official rules at www.Omaze.com/StarTrek. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA, USA 90232.

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Image Comics Announces Return of "Phonogram" Comic Book

PHONOGRAM’s return is music to readers’ ears

The acclaimed urban fantasy series begins an all-new story arc

New York Times bestselling creators of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, writer Kieron Gillen, artist Jamie McKelvie, and colorist Matt Wilson, return to PHONOGRAM to finish what they started with PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #1.

“Phonogram is unfinished business. It's a vision we need to complete,” said Gillen. “Three stand alone, but thematically connected, volumes. Each one can be devoured alone, like our favourite albums. The third one was always going to bring everything we've learned about pop and comics together. I've been wanting to do this book for over a decade. Now I finally get to share the explosions in our head. I can't be more excited, at least in a socially acceptable fashion.”

PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL is the story of Emily Aster, who sold half her personality for the power to rule a coven of phonomancers. It's worked for nearly a decade. Clearly nothing could go wrong now, and the girl behind the screen won't come back for what's been taken from her. In a world where Music is Magic, a song can save or ruin your life. In PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL we discover what a video can do. And you will never listen to A-ha's "Take On Me" in the same way ever again.

PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #1 (Diamond Code: JUN150532) will be available on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, July 20th, 2015.

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New "Star Trek" Comic Book Series and a Landmark Issue Announced

IDW Announces Star Trek™ Landmark Issue And A New Series For 2015

Following this year’s Comic-Con launch of the epic crossover Star Trek/ Green Lantern comic book, IDW announced two more new comic book projects slated for 2015.

This October will see the release of Star Trek #50, marking one of the longest-running Star Trek comic-book series by any publisher. Mike Johnson continues his stint with this special anniversary issue that kicks off an epic, three-part adventure that will introduce the classic “Mirror/Mirror” storyline into the new film-based universe. Issue #50 will also boast additional bonus content, including behind-the-scenes looks at the entire 50-issue run, along with hints about where the series is going. It will all be surrounded by a gorgeous wraparound cover by series artist Tony Shasteen.

In December, IDW is adding a new dynamic to Star Trek lore with the debut of a new miniseries, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The comic follows Kirk, Spock, Uhura and some surprise faces while they are still cadets-in-training at Starfleet Academy, set in the period just prior to the opening of the 2009 mega-hit film. At the same time, you’ll meet the all-new “current day” class of Starfleet cadets, full of compelling young characters from all over the galaxy. The past and the present collide when a mystery bridges the two timelines. This vibrant series, designed to be an entry point for diverse groups of readers, is written by Mike Johnson and Ryan Parrot, with art by fan-favorite creator Derek Charm.

“IDW is proud to have been partnered with Star Trek for nearly a fifth of its lifespan so far,” said IDW Editor-In-Chief Chris Ryall. “As these new comic book projects, and many others coming soon, will show, we’ve got plenty of exciting new ways to bring Star Trek stories to the fans.”

“The fan enthusiasm surrounding Starfleet Academy, much like Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, or X-Men’s Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, shows that the educational lives of our most beloved heroes makes for fantastic stories,” said IDW editor Sarah Gaydos. “I am so excited to flesh out a new chapter in the lives of the Enterprise crew, while introducing you to a great new team of recruits – – ready to boldly go!”

Join Mike Johnson, Derek Charm and Sarah Gaydos at SDCC on Friday, July 10 (4PM-5PM) for the IDW: The Best Panel On Recorded History where they will discuss these Star Trek projects and more.

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Review: "The Expendables 3" is Best When the Old Dogs Run

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 28 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux (Support the author on Patreon)

The Expendables 3 (2014)
Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for violence including intense sustained gun battles and fight scenes, and for language
DIRECTOR:  Patrick Hughes
WRITERS:  Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt, and Sylvester Stallone; from a story by Sylvester Stallone (based on characters created by David Callaham)
PRODUCERS:  Les Weldon, Avi Lerner, Danny Lerner, Kevin King-Templeton, and John Thompson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Menzies, Jr.
EDITORS: Sean Albertson and Paul Harb
COMPOSER:  Brian Tyler

ACTION with some elements of drama

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelsey Grammer, Antonio Banderas, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz, Terry Crews, Jet Li, and Robert Davi

The Expendables 3 is a 2014 action movie from director Patrick Hughes.  It is the second sequel to the 2010 film, The Expendables, and the third movie in the The Expendables film franchise.  In The Expendables 3, team leader, Barney Ross, replaces his old teammates with some new blood for a showdown against a former friend turned arms dealer.

The Expendables 3 opens with the Expendables:  Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) the leader; his right-hand man, Lee Christmas (Jason Statham); Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren); Toll Road (Randy Couture); and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), on a new mission.  They seek to rescue Doc (Wesley Snipes), one of the original Expendables.

With Doc in tow, the Expendables head to Mogadishu, Somalia to capture billionaire arms dealer, Victor Minns.  However, Minns turns out to really be Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who co-founded the Expendables before going rogue.  After the Expendables' mission goes horrible wrong, Barney dismisses his current team.  When he faces Stonebanks again, Ross plans on having a younger team that is also not connected to him in any personal or emotional way.  But are the new Expendables:  Thorn (Glen Powell), Luna (Ronda Rousey), Marlito (Victor Ortiz), and John Smilee (Kellan Lutz), really ready to take on an Expendables mission?

Released in the late summer of 2010, The Expendables was a surprising gem, an explosive action film that was a throwback to the old macho, testosterone-fueled action films of the 1980s.  However, The Expendables was not some homage, parody, or sentimental recollection of action movie days gone by.  As I said in my review of the first film, it was “an authentic ass-kicking, ass-stabbing, cap-popped-in-ass action movie...”

The Expendables 3 is full of old relic-type actors from the 1980s and 90s – stars who dominated the movie box office and one television star.  The story toys with the idea that the old folks must make way for the new stars, but ultimately, it only plays with such a notion.  Honestly, I want to see Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger more than I want to see Ronda Rousey and Kellan Lutz (nothing against them).

I can't quite express how much I enjoyed seeing Kelsey Grammer (as Bonaparte), an actor about whom I have always had mixed feelings, and Harrison Ford (as Max Drummer).  Ford is really showing his seven decades, but he's still cool.  The Expendables 3 is at its best when it showed the old dogs in action, which is what made the original film such a treat.  So, if there is a fourth film in this franchise, I want more aged beef and less fresh meat.

6 of 10
B

Wednesday, July 1, 2015


NOTES:
2015 Razzie Awards:  1 win: “Worst Supporting Actor” (Kelsey Grammer, also for Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return; Think Like a Man Too; Transformers: Age of Extinction); 2 nominations: “Worst Supporting Actor” (Mel Gibson) and “Worst Supporting Actor” (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Brad Bird's "The Iron Giant" to Return with New Scenes

Director Brad Bird’s Classic Animated Family Feature ‘The Iron Giant: Signature Edition’ Comes Back to Theaters from Warner Bros. and Fathom Events Remastered with New Scenes

See the Special Event Screening on September 30

Encore to Follow on October 4

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures and Fathom Events are proud to announce that the animated action adventure “The Iron Giant” will be re-released in theaters for a limited engagement this fall, remastered and enhanced with two all-new scenes as “The Iron Giant: Signature Edition.” This special screening comes to U.S. movie theaters on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. local time, with an encore event in select markets on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. local time.

    “’The Iron Giant’ is meant to be seen and heard in movie theaters and this is a great chance for fans new and old to enjoy this classic, remastered with new scenes.”

The ticket on-sale date and theater locations for “The Iron Giant” will be announced this August online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in select movie theaters around the country through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network.

When “The Iron Giant” arrived in theaters, it was hailed as an “instant classic” (Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal). “Imagine E.T. as a towering metal man, that’s the appeal of this enchanting animated feature” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). And the world soon learned another “giant” had arrived as well: filmmaker Brad Bird, who made his stunning directorial debut with this film and has gone on to win two Oscars, as well as worldwide acclaim for his work on both animated and live-action features.

Winner of nine Annie Awards, “The Iron Giant” is the tale of an unlikely friendship between a rebellious boy named Hogarth (voiced by Eli Marienthal) and a giant robot, voiced by a then little-known actor named Vin Diesel. The voice cast also included Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr.

“The Iron Giant” was produced by Allison Abbate and Des McAnuff from a screenplay written by Tim McCanlies. Adapted from poet Ted Hughes’ book, The Iron Man, “The Iron Giant” was first released in the summer of 1999 by Warner Bros.

Following the re-release in theaters, a high-definition version of “The Iron Giant: Signature Edition” will be available to purchase from digital retailers in the fall of 2015.

“We can’t wait to bring this family favorite back its home on the big screen,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “’The Iron Giant’ is meant to be seen and heard in movie theaters and this is a great chance for fans new and old to enjoy this classic, remastered with new scenes.”


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to 820 locations in 177 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

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Fantagraphics Books Got Next "Kramers Ergot"

Kramers Ergot, the Anthology that Revolutionized the Medium, Comes to Fantagraphics

SEATTLE, WA: Kramers Ergot is the twenty-first-century's premier comics anthology. Since its inception in 2000, it has introduced new talents and solidified aesthetics; each volume is an of-the-moment, state-of-the-medium manifesto.

This anthology has always been a reflection of creator/editor Sammy Harkham's comics passions, both past and future. This volume plunges into the spot where contemporary visual art discovers narrative, expanding the boundaries of the comics page. Kramers Ergot 9 gathers many of the best and brightest together in one giant, oversized collection: it will feature Michael DeForge, Noel Freibert, Steven Weissman, Anya Davidson, Stefan Marx, Abraham Diaz, Leon Sadler, Julia Gfrörer, Adam Buttrick, Kim Deitch, Ben Jones, Andy Burkholder, Antony Huchette, Trevor Alixopulos, Antoine Cossé, Archer Prewitt, Kevin Huizenga, Renée French, Dash Shaw, and many other comics greats to be announced.

"I think this is the best issue yet and I couldn't be happier doing it with any other publisher. Fantagraphics is the place where the best of the low brow and the literary strands of comics are equally represented and cherished on their own terms, and that's something I have always strived for with Kramers, as well. So it's a great fit."  - Sammy Harkam

"I've known Sammy Harkham for, I think, his entire career, and have been reading and enjoying Kramers Ergot since it began. I've long admired his passion and devotion to making the very best work he's capable of, both as a creator and editor. And as a fan of anthologies in general, I'm excited to bring one of the very best of 'em to Fantagraphics." -Eric Reynolds, Associate Editor at Fantagraphics

Kramers Ergot 9 is slated for release in March 2016.

KRAMERS ERGOT 9
Edited by Sammy Harkham
$45 * 250 Pages * Full Color * 9" x 11 ¾"
ISBN: 978-1606999127
http://fantagraphics.com/flog/kramersanthology/

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