Image Comics Announces Its 2016 WonderCon Schedule

IMAGE COMICS AT WONDERCON

Creator-owned panels, con exclusive variants, and signings you won’t want to miss

Image Comics is pleased to return to WonderCon this year on Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27, 2016.

VARIANTS SOLD AT THE IMAGE BOOTH (#1802):

•     Circuit Breaker #1 WonderCon Variant by Kevin McCarthy and Kyle Baker, cover by Kyle Baker ($10)
•     Tokyo Ghost HC Convention Variant by Rick Remender and Sean Gordon Murphy, cover by Sean Gordon Murphy ($35)

PANELS HOSTED BY IMAGE COMICS:

Image Comics: Where Creators Own Creativity, Friday, 3/25/16, 4:30p.m. - 5:30p.m., Room: 403AB

The sky's the limit with comics, as Joe Harris (SNOWFALL), Keenan Marshall Keller (THE HUMANS), Brian Schirmer (BLACK JACK KETCHUM), Jimmie Robinson (POWER LINES), and Brian Haberlin (FASTER THAN LIGHT) know very well. New creativity has been crucial to the success of comics and drives the most compelling stories out there. In this panel, we'll discuss the importance of creativity and resonant ideas when creating comics. There's no story that comics can't handle, so don't be afraid to go deep or weird or both.

Top Cow Productions: From Then to Now, Saturday, 3/26/16, 11:30a.m. - 12:30p.m., Room: 515B

Founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992, Top Cow Productions soon made its name as the publisher of hit comics like Witchblade, The Darkness, and Cyberforce. The series stood the test of time, spawning a whole multimedia empire. Sit down with Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins (COO of Top Cow Productions), and Bryan Hill (Story Editor) for an exclusive look at where Top Cow has been and where it's going next.

Image Comics: Where Creators Own Craft, Saturday, 3/26/16, 2:30p.m. - 3:30p.m., Room: 403AB

Ed Brubaker (THE FADE OUT), Kurtis Wiebe (RAT QUEENS), Tom Neely (THE HUMANS), Greg Hinkle (AIRBOY), and Malachi Ward (ISLAND) all bring one important thing to their work: a very, very high level of craft. Craft is what makes comics go—it makes for beautiful art, clever writing, and amazing storytelling. Craft is a product of talent, hard work, and experience—if you want to know what it takes, come listen to the best.

SIGNINGS HOSTED AT IMAGE COMICS BOOTH (#1802):

FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH
12:00 - 12:45 PM    Greg Hinkle
1:00 - 1:45 PM    Ed Brubaker, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM    Jimmie Robinson
3:00 - 3:45 PM    Brian Haberlin
4:00 - 4:45 PM    Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
5:00 - 5:45 PM    Dustin Nguyen
6:00 - 6:45 PM    Joe Harris

SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH
10:00 - 10:45 AM    Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel
11:00 - 11:45 AM    Joe Harris
12:00 - 12:45 PM    Malachi Ward
1:00 - 1:45 PM    Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM    Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
3:00 - 3:45 PM    Sina Grace
4:00 - 4:45 PM    Ed Brubaker, ticketed
5:00 - 5:45 PM    Brian Schirmer
6:00 - 6:45 PM    Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH
11:00 - 11:45 AM    Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
12:00 - 12:45 PM    Brian Schirmer
1:00 - 1:45 PM    Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller
2:00 - 2:45 PM    Sina Grace, Amber Benson, Daniel Freedman, ticketed
3:00 - 3:45 PM    Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Review: "Jurassic World" is a Vending Machine Treat

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 5 (of 2016) by Leroy Douresseaux

Jurassic World (2015)
Running time: 124 minutes (2 hours, 4 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril 
DIRECTOR:  Colin Trevorrow
WRITERS:  Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver and Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly; from a story by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (based on characters created by Michael Crichton)
PRODUCERS:  Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  John Schwartzman (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Kevin Stitt
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino

SCI-FI/ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLER

Starring:  Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, B.D. Wong, Judy Greer, Andy Buckley, Lauren Lapkus, Katie McGrath, Eric Edelstein, and Jimmy Fallon

Jurassic World is a 2015 science fiction-thriller and action-adventure film from director Colin Trevorrow.  The film is a restart of the Jurassic Park  film franchise.  Thomas Tull of Legendary Pictures and Steven Spielberg, who directed the original film, Jurassic Park (1993), are the executive producers of this movie.  Jurassic World returns to the setting of the first film, which is now a popular dinosaur theme park, but a new attraction turns the place into a nightmare.

Over two decades after the disaster that was the late John Hammond's Jurassic Park, the island of Isla Nublar now has a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, named Jurassic World.  That is where Gray Mitchell (Ty Simpkins) and his older brother, Zach (Nick Robinson), are headed, with VIP access thanks to their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), who is Jurassic World's operations manager.

This new park is run by the Masrani Global Corporation, which also owns InGen, Hammond's genetics company that invented the process of using DNA found in dinosaur fossils to make new dinosaurs.  However, after a decade in operation, Jurassic World has been experiencing a decline in visitor rates, because dinosaurs are no longer the “hot thing.”

Park owner Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan) demanded that a new attraction be created to spark visitors' interest.  Behold Indominus‍ rex, a hybrid dinosaur made by combining the DNA of an unknown number of animals.  U.S. Navy veteran, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), trains Jurassic World's four Velociraptors, which have imprinted on him as the pack alpha.  Masrani wants Owen to evaluate Indominus‍ rex before this new attraction is presented to the public. Owen discovers that this hybrid dinosaur is really dangerous.  Then, everything goes bad...

Jurassic World is quite an entertaining movie.  I watched it on DVD, and there were times that I could not stop watching it, even when the phone rang.  Like the Indominus rex, Jurassic World is itself a hybrid, as it blends the disaster film with the monster movie (much in the way a Godzilla film does).  This is pure escapist entertainment.  Pop some popcorn; sit on the sofa and turn out the lights.  Watch this movie and have a blast...

...because beyond that, you won't have much.  Jurassic World may be a restart of the franchise, but it lacks the newness and freshness, the sense of wonder and awe, that defined the original, 1993's Oscar-winning Jurassic Park.  So rather than being a restart, Jurassic World is in actuality nothing more than another Jurassic Park film.

The characters are not interesting, and their plight did not grab me, as the characters' troubles in the first film did.  When the most interesting female character in this film is a CGI dinosaur, as is the case with the raptor, Blue, then, the movie has fundamental problems.  Even the relationship troubles between the two brothers and its resolution feel forced and phony.  I can't remember the last time juvenile sibling characters had the kind of stiff dialogue that the Mitchell brothers had.

I like Chris Pratt, and he uses all his charm to make something out of Owen Grady, a character with potential, which the writers and director of this film did not seem to realize.  Bryce Dallas Howard uses her acting skills to make something of the mannequin that is Claire, but that character is beneath her.  And poor Omar Sy comes across as a pitiful token, playing Owen's stuck-in-the-corner assistant, Barry; yeah, Barry wasn't even worth a last name.

Yeah, Jurassic World is a blast as a scary monster movie, a dumb sci-fi thriller that actually delivers on the thrills.  But in the end, it is nothing more than film product – the equivalent of a fast food hamburger that you have already forgotten a few minutes after eating it.

6 of 10
B

Saturday, November 28, 2015


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

Image Comics Announces New Sina Grace Web Series

CARTOONIST SINA GRACE TO LAUNCH SELF-OBSESSED WEB SERIES

Inspired by acclaimed graphic novel, the five episode series stars Grace, Amber Benson, Adam Busch & Jon Gabrus

Cartoonist Sina Grace will debut a web series based on his 2015 Image Comics graphic novel SELF-OBSESSED on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Directed by friend and longtime collaborator on the hit comic series BURN THE ORPHANAGE, Daniel Freedman (Undying Love), SELF-OBSESSED is a comedic look at the life of a gay LA-based cartoonist who struggles to find his creative mojo amidst a break-up, a book cancellation, and an overall crisis of faith in his own work. Grace stars in the series alongside Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Adam Busch (Colony, Empire) and Jon Gabrus (MTV’s Guy Code, TVLand’s Younger).

When Sina breaks up with his latest boyfriend, he’s heart-broken. When the book he’s working on is cancelled, he’s devastated. SELF-OBSESSED follows Sina on a hilarious journey as he tries to rediscover his passions for drawing and life. From striking out at a gay bear sex party to getting sage advice from his best friend Amber to visiting an old flame Jon in San Francisco, Sina tries to keep it together. Will he remember why he started drawing in the first place or will he obsess over where he went wrong?

“Making the book Self-Obsessed taught me to follow every idea down every meta rabbit hole,” said Grace. “It seemed like the only logical next step to bare it all on screen, surrounded by my best friends.”

SELF-OBSESSED features a killer soundtrack thanks to musicians in and out of Los Angeles, such as Feels, Colleen Green, Nick Diamonds, Post Life, Hot as Sun, Exray’s, Caleb Nichols, Purr Snickety, Cold Showers, and more.

Click here to view the SELF-OBSESSED trailer.


About SINA GRACE
Sina Grace is the author and illustrator of the autobiographical Self-Obsessed and Not My Bag, which recounts a story of retail hell. He acts as the artist for Shaun Steven Struble's cult hit, The Li'l Depressed Boy, and handles art chores along with co-writing the Image Comics hit series, Burn the Orphanage. Grace has also done illustrations for all-ages readers, including Among the Ghosts, written by Amber Benson, and Penny Dora & the Wishing Box, written by Michael Stock. His previous works include the slice-of-life Books with Pictures, and the neo-noir urban fantasy Cedric Hollows in Dial M for Magic. For a time, he acted as Editorial Director for Robert Kirkman's Skybound imprint at Image Comics. To date, he's worked for Marvel Comics, IDW, Boom, Dynamite, Valiant and more. His essays have appeared on several websites, most notably Thought Catalog.

For more information, please visit sinagrace.com.
@SinaGrace on all social media
#SOselfobsessed

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Marvel Movie Stars to Appear at 2016 Wizard World Philadelphia

Marvel Stars Unite in Philadelphia! Evans, Hemsworth, Hiddleston among Wizard World Guests, June 4-5

Only 2016 Appearance for Hiddleston As Marvel Universe Standouts Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan, Frank Grillo Also To Appear At Pennsylvania Convention Center

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marvel blockbuster films such as Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Avengers and Thor and hit TV programs such as "Agent Carter" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." have attracted millions of fans, with megastars Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston among the main attractions. Now, those three plus popular supporting actors Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan and Frank Grillo will gather for the first time at Wizard World Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, 2016 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it was announced today by Wizard World (OTCBB:WIZD), producer of the largest comic con and pop culture convention series.

All are scheduled to appear on both days, except Hiddleston, who will attend on Saturday only. All will greet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops (solo and in several different themed combinations) and conduct interactive Q&A panels.

"This will be the greatest collection of Marvel stars in one convention setting," said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. "As if it weren't enough to have Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth return to the Tour, the addition of Tom Hiddleston in his only appearance all year is a huge coup for fans. When you combine that with Michael J. Fox, David Duchovny, Stephen Amell and Norman Reedus, among the many others already attending, this will be one show fans won't want to miss."

A wide variety of VIP admission packages for individual and groups of the Marvel stars are now available. Fans can visit wizd.me/PhiladelphiaMarvel for options.

Evans, who has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors for both big budget and independent features, can next be seen in Captain America: Civil War, the third installment of Marvel’s Captain America franchise. In each film, Evans, who attended his first Wizard World event in New Orleans in January, reprises his role as the famed Marvel Comics character, “Steve Rogers,” who transforms into Captain America after volunteering for a top secret research project in hopes of defending America’s ideals. Both films grossed over $713 million each at box offices worldwide.

Hemsworth, a big hit at last weekend's Wizard World Cleveland show, was first introduced to U.S. audiences in Star Trek in 2009. Three years later, Hemsworth also starred in Universal’s big revisionist fairy tale Snow White And The Huntsman opposite Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart and in the horror feature The Cabin in the Woods. As prolific as 2012 was for the Melbourne, Australia, native, 2015 was even bigger, with four feature films including The Avengers: Age of Ultron, In the Heart of the Sea, Vacation and Blackhat. He also will play the lead in the sequel The Huntsman Winter's War and a key role in the reboot of Ghostbusters, both scheduled for release this year.

Hiddleston, who played "Loki" in Thor: The Dark World, The Avengers and Thor, will also be featured in the lead role this month's I Saw the Light, about the life of country-western singer Hank Williams. The London-born star has top billing in the series "The Night Manager" and had a co-starring role in last year's hit film Crimson Peak.

The Marvel stars join an already standout Wizard World Philadelphia celebrity field which includes David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), the Back to the Future trio of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson and "The Walking Dead" standout Norman Reedus, with many more to be announced.

Wizard World comic con and gaming events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, June 2, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, June 3, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, June 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more on the 2016 Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR.


About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)
Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces comic cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched Wizard World Store (www.shopwizardworld.com), CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The Wizard World 2016 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results or outcomes of Wizard World, Inc. may differ materially from those anticipated. Although Wizard World, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any such assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Wizard World, Inc. can provide no assurance that any of the forward-looking statements contained in this letter will prove to be accurate.

In light of the significant uncertainties and risks inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this letter, such information should not be regarded as a representation by Wizard World, Inc. that its objectives or plans will be achieved. Included in these uncertainties and risks are, among other things, fluctuations in operating results, general economic conditions, uncertainty regarding the results of certain legal proceedings and competition. Forward-looking statements consist of statements other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "intend," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Because they are forward-looking, such statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Wizard World, Inc.'s most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." Wizard World, Inc. does not undertake an obligation to update publicly any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

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"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Documentary to Premiere at SXSW 2016

“SECRETS OF THE FORCE AWAKENS: A CINEMATIC JOURNEY” TO PREMIERE AT SXSW FILM FESTIVAL 2016

Feature-length Documentary—an in-Depth Bonus Feature on the Upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack—Debuts at the Paramount Theatre March 14 in Austin, Texas

BURBANK, CALIF.— “Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey, ” a feature-length documentary will have its world premiere during the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW®), being held in Austin, Texas, March 11-19, 2016. The documentary, a bonus feature on the upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is an inside look at the making of this epic movie, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers.

The documentary will be shown at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin on Monday, March 14, 2016, at 12:00 p.m.  Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ BAFTA Award–winning and Academy Award®–nominated visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, Academy Award®–nominated supervising sound editor Matthew Wood and co-producer Michelle Rejwan will be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered box office records upon its debut to become the cinematic event of a generation with over $926 million domestic and $2 billion worldwide. 

The epic movie will be available to own early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1, and is available on iTunes and other digital providers for pre-order now. Fans can also explore all things Star Wars at iTunes.com/Starwars.  It comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5, 2016.


ABOUT STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt.

ABOUT SXSW
Now in its 23rd year, SXSW Film brings together creatives of all stripes over nine days to experience a diverse film line up and access to more than 500 Conference sessions with visionaries from all corners of the entertainment and media industries. SXSW 2016 takes place March 11-20 in Austin, TX.

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique industry convergence of music, film, and interactive technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. The event is a launch pad for innovative content with new media presentations, music showcases and film screenings providing exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for attendees. For more information, please visit sxsw.com.

© 2016 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

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J.K. Rowling Introduces Audiences to Magic in North America

New Original Writing by J.K. Rowling Invites Audiences to Explore the Wizarding World of North America on Pottermore.com

A Video That Serves as a Prologue to the New Writing Debuted Today, Setting the Scene for the Upcoming Feature Film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading up to the November 18th, 2016 release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated feature “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” J.K. Rowling has crafted a collection of new original writing entitled Magic in North America, to introduce audiences to a new place and time in the wizarding world that she has created.

The first installment, “History of Magic in North America,” was introduced with the global launch of a 100-second specially produced video that serves as a prologue to the new original writing by J.K. Rowling. The writing will be posted on pottermore.com over four consecutive days beginning Tuesday, March 8th, 2016, at 6 a.m. PST. These four pieces will enlighten readers about a previously unexplored corner of the wizarding world: North American witches and wizards, their history and their magic. The video broke simultaneously on selected media sites around the world and links viewers to “History of Magic in North America,” which will soon be available exclusively at pottermore.com.

The video and the writing provide context and backstory for the feature film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Rowling, who first conceived the wizarding world in her enormously popular Harry Potter books, had introduced wizards and witches from other parts of Europe in the series, most notably in the Quidditch World Cup and Triwizard Tournament. However, this marks the first time we’ll learn the fascinating story of the history of magic in North America.


About “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”:
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Carmen Ejogo, Jenn Murray, Faith Wood-Blagrove, and Colin Farrell.

The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by her character Newt Scamander.

The film reunites a number of people from the “Harry Potter” features, including producers David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.

Opening November 18, 2016, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

About J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films.

She has written three companion volumes in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in aid of Comic Relief; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard in aid of her children’s charity Lumos.

In 2012, J.K. Rowling’s digital entertainment and e-commerce company, Pottermore, was launched, where fans can enjoy her new writing and immerse themselves deeper in the wizarding world.

Her first novel for adult readers, The Casual Vacancy, was published in September 2012 and adapted for TV by the BBC in 2015. Her crime novels, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, were published in 2013 (The Cuckoo’s Calling), 2014 (The Silkworm) and 2015 (Career of Evil), and are to be adapted for a major new television series for BBC One, produced by Brontë Film and Television.

J.K. Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech was published in 2015 as an illustrated book, Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination, and sold in aid of her charity Lumos and university–wide financial aid at Harvard.

In addition to making her screenwriting debut with the film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” J.K. Rowling is currently collaborating on a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II, which will open in London’s West End in the summer of 2016. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany.

About Pottermore:
Pottermore, the digital publishing, e-commerce, entertainment and news company from J.K. Rowling, is the global digital publisher of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. As the digital heart of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, pottermore.com is dedicated to unlocking the power of imagination. It offers news, features, and articles as well as new and previously unreleased writing by J.K. Rowling.

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Image Comics Announces Sixth "East of West" Story Arc

EAST OF WEST USHERS IN ITS SIXTH ARC

New York Times bestselling creative team Jonathan Hickman (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, THE DYING AND THE DEAD) and Nick Dragotta (HOWTOONS) will launch the sixth arc in their ongoing sci-fi western series EAST OF WEST this April.

Previously in EAST OF WEST, an impressive cavalcade of characters let loose their pawns in a cunning game of deception. Loyalties shifted, alliances were betrayed, old friends were murdered—all in service of, or to thwart, the Apocalypse.

In EAST OF WEST #25, the smashing conclusion of EAST OF WEST: YEAR TWO begins here. Witness the eventful last gathering of the Chosen before the Apocalypse begins. No one gets out alive!

“We’ve reached that wonderful part in the story where everything starts to go very, very wrong for everyone involved,” said Hickman. “And in a book that’s basically about the end of the world, I think we can promise only the most dramatic things for our characters.”

Dragotta added: “And visually, these are the really big scenes we’ve been building towards since the beginning of EAST of WEST. Not only do all of my favorite characters return, but the way in which they do so has been some of the most fun I’ve had drawing. Ever!”

EAST OF WEST #25 Cover A by Nick Dragotta (Diamond code: FEB160522) hits stores Wednesday, April 20th. EAST OF WEST #25 Cover B by Jonathan Hickman (Diamond code: FEB160523) will also be available Wednesday, April 20th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, March 28th, 2016.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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