Image Comics Announces New Creator-Owned Comic Books

IMAGE COMICS’ ECCC 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS REVEALED

At Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington, this past weekend, Image Comics kicked off the show with a slew of exciting creator-owned announcements that set the comics and entertainment industry abuzz.

Image Comics revealed the following creator-owned projects set to launch in the coming year and beyond.

DEATH OF LOVE
Fan-favorite writer Justin Jordan (SPREAD), artist Donal DeLay, colorist Felipe Sobreiro, and letterer Rachel Deering team up for an all-new, five-issue miniseries—DEATH OF LOVE.

In DEATH OF LOVE, a bitter, self-proclaimed nice guy gains the ability to see the Cupidae, who are responsible for love in the world. Who he then ends up in bloody and, hopefully, hilarious war with.

DEATH OF LOVE launches from Image Comics this Fall 2017.

FAMILY TREE
Bestselling, award-winning Jeff Lemire (ROYAL CITY, DESCENDER, Sweet Tooth) and Phil Hester (Shipwreck, Green Arrow) come together for FAMILY TREE.

When an eight-year-old girl literally begins to transform into a tree, her single Mom, troubled brother, and possibly insane Grandfather embark on a bizarre and heart-wrenching odyssey across the back roads of America, desperately searching for a way to cure to her horrifying transformation before it’s too late.

But the further they get from home, and the closer the girl gets to completely losing her humanity, the more external forces threaten to tear the family apart as fanatical cults, mercenaries, and tabloid Paparazzi close in, determined to destroy the girl or use her for themselves.

A new genre-defying ongoing series, THE FAMILY TREE will combine mystery, action, and Cronenbergian body horror into an epic story about the lengths a mother will go to keep her children safe in the face of an increasingly unstable world and unspeakable horrors.

FAMILY TREE will launch this Fall 2017 from Image Comics.

FLAVOR
Fan-favorite writer Joseph Keatinge (RINGSIDE, SHUTTER) and artist Wook-Jin Clark serve up FLAVOR.

In FLAVOR, Xoo’s a young chef in a closed-off metropolis whose economy surrounds the touring of—and some argue, exploitation of—young chefs. When she’s registered for the cooking tournament, she discovers the dark underbelly of the city—why they exploit the young chefs, where their foods coming from and why she’s got to fight against it all.

FLAVOR is on the menu for Fall 2017.

GENERATION GONE
Fan-favorite writer Ales Kot and artist André Araújo team up for an all-new series in GENERATION GONE.

GENERATION GONE asks: What happens when three disenfranchised millennials who were already planning to rob a bank get superpowers? What happens when two of them are in a toxic relationship that implodes shortly after? Think Unbreakable meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and you're starting to get it.

GENERATION GONE launches this Summer 2017 from Image Comics.

MAGE: THE HERO DENIED, PART 3
Matt Wagner returns with the highly-anticipated conclusion to MAGE.

MAGE: THE HERO DENIED is the long-awaited conclusion of Matt Wagner’s epic fantasy trilogy. MAGE follows the adventures of the reluctant everyman hero Kevin Matchstick who, after encountering a shaggy and beguiling wizard, discovers he is the reincarnation of the legendary Pendragon and able to wield the power of the mystical weapon, Excalibur.

MAGE will hit stores this Summer 2017 from Image Comics.

MOONSTRUCK
From Lumberjanes creator Grace Ellis and talented newcomer Shae Beagle comes a story of monsters, romance, and magical hijinks! Fantasy creatures are living typical, unremarkable lives alongside humans, and barista Julie strives to be the most unremarkable of all. Normal job, normal almost-girlfriend, normal... werewolf transformations that happen when she gets upset? Yikes! But all bets are off when she and her centaur best friend Chet find themselves in the middle of a magical conspiracy. Will Julie and Chet be able to save their friends? Is Julie's dogged determination to be normal a lost cause? Who's going to watch the coffee shop while our heroes are out saving the world?

These questions and more will be answered in MOONSTRUCK, coming this summer from Image Comics.

NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL
Fan-favorite writer Joe Casey (OFFICER DOWNE, SEX) and artist Ulises Farinas team up for an all-new series in NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL.

From Joe Casey and Ulises Farinas—they are the most kick-ass, head-banging heroes ever assembled! They are a precision strike force, ready to face any threat! They are a metal militia of mayhem and they mean serious business! If you like blood and explosions... or if you like bloody explosions... this is the book you've been waiting in line outside the coliseum to read! Their names are legend: The Mighty Kreig! Vandenborg Riot! Manowarrior! Steppenwulf! Beset from all sides by a growing roster of vicious foes, the New Lieutenants of Metal have arrived to bust down the doors of perception and deliver you to a greater comicbook glory! Featuring the first appearance of Spike!

NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL will launch from Image Comics in 2017.

REDLANDS
Eisner Award-winning Jordie Bellaire and artist Vanesa R. del Rey team up for an all-new series REDLANDS.

In REDLANDS, three witches move to Redlands, Florida and take over as law enforcement.

This new series—created by the all-female team of bestselling, award-winning Jordie Bellaire and Vanesa R. del Rey—marries the sexy, witchy-goodness of Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott's BLACK MAGICK and Melissa de la Cruz's beloved Witches of East End with the deep-South atmosphere of Jason Aaron and Jason Latour's SOUTHERN BASTARDS and American Horror Story: Coven.

REDLANDS launches this Summer from Image Comics.

SACRED CREATURES
Bestselling artists Klaus Janson and Pablo Raimondi team up for an all-new ongoing series titled SACRED CREATURES.

The survivors of an ancient, supernatural race have woven their existence into the fabric of our society, and when their delicate balance of power begins to unravel, humanity itself is at risk of being torn apart. SACRED CREATURES is a supernatural thriller that reveals the hidden forces manipulating mankind and takes the reader on a journey spanning the history of the world itself.

SACRED CREATURES hits stores this Summer from Image Comics.

SAVAGE TOWN
Declan Shalvey (INJECTION) and Philip Barrett team up for an all-new original graphic novel titled SAVAGE TOWN.

SAVAGE TOWN is a crime story set in Limerick City, loosely based on real events at the turn of the millennium. It follows Jimmy ‘Hardy’ Savage as he fails his way up the criminal ladder.

SAVAGE TOWN will hit shelves this Fall 2017 from Image Comics.

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER
From writers Jody LeHeup (former editor of Uncanny X-Force, Deadpool, Quantum and Woody) and Sebastian Girner (editor of SOUTHERN BASTARDS, DEADLY CLASS, BLACK SCIENCE), newcomer artist Nil Vendrell, colorist Mike Spicer (HEAD LOPPER, MYTHIC), and letterer "Famous Dave" Lanphear comes a modern tall tale for the ages!

After being betrayed by the bears that raised him, the legendary SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER wanders the forest he’s sworn to protect, fist-fighting bears, eating flapjacks, and being the angriest man the world has ever known! When wild-eyed, super-strong bears attack the citizens of Major City, Shirtless ventures into the human world to do what he does best...PUNCH THOSE BEARS IN THE FACE! But all is not as it seems. Someone is manipulating Shirtless...and only by confronting the demons of his past can Shirtless hope to save his future!

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER is a an over-the-top action/comedy chock full of humor, colorful characters, larger-than-life battles, and high adventure. It's the story of a wrathful man at war with himself, what happens when we allow anger to rule our lives, and what we can do to set things right.

"Probably the most important comic book ever made." —Jody LeHeup

"We need him now more than ever. Someone's gotta fight all these bears!" —Sebastian Girner

THE WAR ON BEARROR BEGINS JUNE 2017.

SLEEPLESS
Bestselling creator Leila del Duca (SHUTTER, AFAR) and writer Sarah Vaughn (ALEX + ADA) team up for the all-new series SLEEPLESS, with editor Alissa Sallah and letterer Deron Bennett.

In SLEEPLESS, an enchanted knight who never sleeps falls in love with the noblewoman he is sworn to protect as they navigate the treacherous court of a newly crowned king. Set in a Renaissance-inspired kingdom, politics and love abound in this historical romance drama.

SLEEPLESS will launch from Image Comics.

THE FAMILY TRADE
Writer Justin Jordan and artist Morgan Beem come together for the all-new ongoing series THE FAMILY TRADE.

THE FAMILY TRADE is about a family of assassins, con men, and thieves dedicated to keeping their floating city floating. Which goes reasonably well until their youngest member manages to nearly cause the city to go to war with itself.

THE FAMILY TRADE will launch from Image Comics this Fall 2017.

THE HARD PLACE
Writer Doug Wagner (PLASTIC) and artist Nic Rummel team up with editor Keven Gardner for an all-new series.

In THE HARD PLACE, a former legendary getaway driver has decided that after five years in prison he’s ready to go straight, but when a bank heist goes wrong and two violent bank robbers recognize the driver, they force him to help them escape using a Russian mobster’s daughter as a human shield. The driver finds himself pursued by a resentful police department and hunted by every asset of the Russian mob.

THE HARD PLACE will launch from Image Comics this Summer 2017.

THE NEW WORLD
Fan-favorite creators Ales Kot and Tradd Moore come together for an all-new series, THE NEW WORLD.

THE NEW WORLD is set in the United States of America: decades from now. A war-torn landscape slowly revitalizing itself. What happens when Romeo is a straight-edge hacker and Juliet a messy TV star cop with license to kill? What happens when they meet? What happens when their aims may be opposite but the chemistry too real to deny?

THE NEW WORLD hits stores from Image Comics in 2017.


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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Movie Review: "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" is an Average Film

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was posted on Patreon.]

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Running time:  151 minutes (2 hours, 31 minutes)
MPAA – PG - 13 for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality
DIRECTOR:  Zack Snyder
WRITERS: Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer; based on characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Batman) and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Superman)
PRODUCERS:  Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Larry Fong (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  David Brenner
COMPOSERS:  Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Scoot McNairy, Tao Okamoto, Harry Lennix, Michael Shannon, Ezra Miller, Joe Morton, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, and Kevin Costner

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a 2016 superhero drama and action-fantasy film from director Zack Snyder.  The film unites DC Comic' two most famous superheroes, Superman and Batman, in an epic conflict.  In the film, Batman battles Superman for fear of what the Man of Steel might do if his actions are left unchecked.  DC Entertainment boss, Geoff Johns, and director of “The Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan, are two of the film's executive producers.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens 18 months after the events depicted in the film, The Man of Steel (2013).  The destructive battle between Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod (Michael Shannon) left much of the city of Metropolis in ruins and made Superman a controversial figure.  People were also killed and maimed in the battle between Superman and Zod, including employees working for Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck).

Wayne has operated in Gotham City as the vigilante, Batman, for nearly two decades, but he sees Superman's activities as a threat to humanity.  Conversely, Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) a.k.a. Superman sees Batman as a dangerous vigilante who has taken the law into his own hands, and Kent wants to expose Batman via a series of articles in the newspaper for which he works, the Daily Planet.

Now, it seems that Batman and Superman are destined to clash, but there is a threat to both of them.  LexCorp mogul and wunderkind, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), is formulating a dark plot to destroy both costumed superheroes.  Can Batman and Superman stop fighting each other in time to save the world, the lives of their loved ones, and their own lives?

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has such high-end production values that it could be mistaken for a sumptuous costume drama headed for Oscar glory.  Batman v Superman has gorgeous photography with colors so rich that you might want to dine on them.  The budget-busting visual effects and CGI are mesmerizing.  The spectacular urban vistas will make you want to move to Metropolis, and the action set pieces will make your heart pound.  There is a chase scene with the Batmobile that rivals anything in The Fast and the Furious franchise.

That said:  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice does not quite come together.  It is filled with good scenes, but this film seems like two movies – one about Superman and the other about Batman – that are forced together so that they will be a single movie about both Batman and Superman.  The movie does sell the notion that these two heroes could be adversaries, but when it tries to sell them as allies, that does not quite work.  There was too much versus in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice for these two headliners to suddenly turn friendly towards each other.

Jesse Eisenberg is terrible as Lex Luthor.  I don't know if it was his decision or that of the studio to make Luthor Superman's Joker, but it is just wrong.  Gal Gadot is pretty, but her Wonder Woman is not that good, either.  When Wonder Woman first appears in costume in the big battle scene, I was excited to see her, but the fact that Gadot is so stiff in her acting made me lose my joy for Wonder Woman.

Ben Affleck is equally stiff as Bruce Wayne and only a tiny bit better as Batman, but not by much, though Lord knows he tries.  I want to give him credit for that, in spite of myself.  Henry Cavill actually convinced me that he is the right man to play both Clark Kent and Superman.  I think Amy Adams is excellent as Lois Lane, but she needs more screen time.  It is the same with Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, editor of the Daily Planet.

Jeremy Irons, who is good as Bruce Wayne's “butler,” Alfred Pennyworth, has said in press interviews that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's biggest problem is that it lacks drama.  Yeah, this film has no dramatic heft.  As good as it looks, it's all visual sound and fury with a narrative that signifies practically nothing.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is watchable, but it should have been something more than the average, loud, big-budget, star-laden, event movie it is.  In a way, I think Warner Bros. wanted it to be nothing more than that.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, September 11, 2016


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon Pilot Season Returns March 17th

Amazon’s Spring 2017 Pilot Season Premieres on March 17, 2017 on Amazon Video

Five new pilots, The Legend of Master Legend, Budding Prospects, The New V.I.P.’s, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Oasis, will debut for all Amazon customers in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Japan to stream and review

Shows come from prominent creators including Amy Sherman-Palladino, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Terry Zwigoff and Steve Dildarian, and feature notable actors including Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub, Richard Madden, Anil Kapoor, John Hawkes, Will Sasso, Ben Schwartz, Haley Joel Osment and Missi Pyle

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon announced its lineup for its Spring 2017 pilot season which will debut on Amazon Video on March 17, 2017 in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, and Japan. Amazon is continuing its tradition of extreme variety this pilot season, including The Legend of Master Legend, from Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue (Transparent), about a homemade superhero in Las Vegas juggling the demands of his duty and his family; Budding Prospects, from Terry Zwigoff (Bad Santa), a 1980s pot comedy based on the T.C. Boyle novel of the same name; The New V.I.P.’s, from Steve Dildarian (The Life & Times of Tim), Amazon’s first adult animated comedy where a group of low level employees seize control of a major corporation after accidentally murdering their boss; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, from noted creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls), about a 1958 New York City woman who goes from uptown housewife to stand-up comic in Greenwich Village; and Oasis, from Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), that follows a chaplain who is sent into space to help establish a colony on a distant planet.

    “Pilots continue to be the best way to take risks, find voices and evolve the art form of television”

All Amazon customers in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Japan are invited to stream and review the pilots to help determine the next Amazon Original Series that are then available to Prime members. The pilots will be available via the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/amazonvideo. Amazon customer feedback on pilots have assisted in making some of the most critically-acclaimed and popular series to date, including multi Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series Transparent, multi Golden Globe-winning series Mozart in the Jungle, and the most-streamed scripted Amazon Original Series ever by Prime members globally, The Man in the High Castle.

The new pilots feature prominent actors including Rachel Brosnahan (House of Cards) and Tony Shalhoub (Monk) in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense, Alpha House) and Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire, 24) in Oasis; John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone), Dawnn Lewis (Major Crimes) and Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire) in The Legend of Master Legend; Joel David Moore (Bones), Will Sasso (MADtv) and Brett Gelman (Fleabag) in Budding Prospects; Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), Matt Braunger (Agent Carter), Missi Pyle (Gone Girl) and Jonathan Adams (Last Man Standing) in The New V.I.P.’s.

“Pilots continue to be the best way to take risks, find voices and evolve the art form of television,” said Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama & VR, Amazon Studios. “We’re excited about these new worlds, characters and filmmakers. We’re looking forward to another Amazon Pilot Season and more great customer feedback.”

Amazon’s half-hour pilots include:

The Legend of Master Legend

The Legend of Master Legend is a dark comedy about the life of Frank Lafount, aka Master Legend -- a homemade superhero whose mission is to protect the people of Las Vegas from evil doers. Master Legend juggles the demands of justice with the even more complicated demands of his real family, who don’t see him as a hero at all. The Legend of Master Legend is executive produced by Youree Henley (20th Century Women), Joshuah Bearman (Argo) and David Klawans (Argo), along with executive producers and writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue (Transparent) and Noah Harpster (Transparent). The pilot is directed by James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now) and stars John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone), Dawnn Lewis (Major Crimes), Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire) and newcomer Anjelika Washington.

Budding Prospects

In 1983, three hapless city boys move from their comfort zone of the San Francisco counter-culture to Mendacino to grow marijuana. Their expectations of the experience being a back-to-the-land, nurturing adventure in a beautiful rustic setting run up against the harsh truth prior to their arrival at "The Summer Camp" – a miserably run-down shanty out in the middle of nowhere, where they are bedeviled by rats, snakes, mosquitoes, and harsh, unfriendly growing conditions, noisy neighbors, dangerous locals, and menacing law enforcement. Budding Prospects is directed and executive produced by Terry Zwigoff (Bad Santa), executive produced by Vincent Landay (Her) and co-written by Melissa Axelrod. The pilot stars Adam Rose (Veronica Mars), Joel David Moore (Bones), Will Sasso (MADtv) and Brett Gelman (Fleabag).

The New V.I.P.’s

Amazon’s first adult animated comedy show, The New V.I.P.’s follows a group of low level employees who seize control of a major corporation after accidently murdering their boss. The show was created by Steve Dildarian (The Life & Times of Tim), Titmouse served as the production company (Ben Kalina and Dave Newberg), along with producer Peter Principato (Central Intelligence) from Principato Young. The pilot stars Matt Braunger (Agent Carter), Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), Missi Pyle (Gone Girl) and Jonathan Adams (Last Man Standing).

Amazon’s one-hour pilots include:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) and executive produced by Daniel Palladino (Family Guy) and Sherman-Palladino. It’s 1958 Manhattan and Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan, House of Cards) has everything she’s ever wanted—the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant Upper West Side apartment perfect for hosting Yom Kippur dinner. But her perfect life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and Midge discovers a previously unknown talent—one that changes her life forever. She charts a course that takes her from her comfortable life on Riverside Drive, through the basket houses and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she storms the world of stand-up comedy…a course that will ultimately lead her to a spot on Johnny Carson’s couch. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel also stars Michael Zegen (Boardwalk Empire) as Midge’s husband Joel Maisel, Alex Borstein (Family Guy) as Susie Myerson, Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy Winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk) as Midge’s father Abe Weinberg, and Marin Hinkle (Two and a Half Men) as Midge’s mother Rose Weinberg.

Oasis

Based on the cult-hit novel The Book of Strange New Things from Michel Faber, Oasis follows a chaplain (Richard Madden, Game of Thrones) who is sent into space to help establish a colony on a distant planet. What he ends up discovering not only puts his faith to the test, but life as we know it. The pilot also stars world-renowned Indian actor and producer Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire, 24) as Vikram Danesh, the head of the base on Oasis, Michael Shaw (Limitless) as B.G., Antje Traue (Man of Steel) as Grainger, Mark Addy (Game of Thrones) as Halloran, Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense, Alpha House) as Sy, Maureen Sebastian (American Gothic) as Alicia Ruiz, Michael Shaffer (Coach Sinclair) as Phelps, and Zawe Ashton (Nocturnal Animals) as Severin. Oasis is written by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), executive produced by Charman, Andy Harries (The Crown) and Lila Rawlings (Left Bank Productions), produced by Rob Bullock (The Night Manager), with Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland) directing. The one-hour drama pilot is a co-production of Amazon Studios and Left Bank Productions.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship, and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 100 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV, and more, available to Amazon Prime members in the US as add-ons to their membership. To view the full list of available channels, visit www.amazon.com/channels.
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers.
•     Instant Access: Customers can instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on compatible TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content.

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalog with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more, visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

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Amazon Announces "Fortitude" for Prime Video

Amazon Studios Orders Original Dramatic Series Fortitude from Sky Vision

Ten episodes of the Arctic thriller, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Richard Dormer and Dennis Quaid, will debut later this year on Prime Video in the US

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon Studios and Sky Vision today announced the addition of Fortitude to Amazon’s lineup of dramatic original series for Prime Video in the US. The first season of Fortitude premiered on Sky Atlantic in 2015 and became the network’s most successful original drama commission to date, with the first episode watched by an accumulative audience of more than 3.2 million.

The first season has also been available on Prime Video in the US since January 2016, with more than 2,000 four and five star reviews from customers. Season two of the series will become an Amazon Original Series and features an ensemble cast, including Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones), Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point), Sofie Gråbøl (The Killing), Luke Treadaway (Clash of the Titans), Darren Boyd (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man), Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (Jar 2pm City), Mia Jexen (Happiness), Alexandra Moen (Strike Back), Verónica Echegui (The Cold Light of Day), Sienna Guillory (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man), Ramon Tikaram (Jupiter Ascending), Parminder Nagra (ER), Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones), Robert Sheehan (Misfits) and Ken Stott (The Missing). The series is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video in the US later this year.

    “Amazon is the perfect home for Fortitude in the US”

Fortitude follows Sheriff Dan Anderssen (Dormer) of Fortitude, a small isolated community with a captive population in an environment that is undergoing change and upheaval due to parasite and pathogen activity. After shooting the woman he loved, Dan becomes consumed with guilt, disappears into the wilderness and was presumed dead. Without a sheriff, the people of Fortitude begin to wonder whether Deputy Eric Odegard (Haraldsson), who has spent the last few weeks desperately searching for Dan, can fill his shoes. A new body is discovered on the other side of town and Eric must step up and lead this horrific investigation. As his own police team is trying to figure out who would have killed a man for no apparent reason, Dan suddenly reappears—a violent broken ruin of a man and wild to the point of feral. Quaid stars as Michael Lennox, a fisherman and patriarch of a family living in Fortitude, who is struggling to come to terms with his terminally ill wife, and will try anything to find a cure.

“In Fortitude, our customers will experience Dennis Quaid in a remarkably compassionate role, joined by an ensemble cast that has resonated with audiences globally,” said Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama and VR, Amazon Studios. “We’re excited to add such a beautiful and captivating series to our originals slate.”

“Amazon is the perfect home for Fortitude in the US,” said Jane Millichip, Managing Director, Sky Vision. “Fortitude is high-end, addictive viewing and perfectly suits Amazon's scripted portfolio. Amazon has been a keen supporter of the series from the outset, having taken an SVOD window on season one. We're delighted to now extend the relationship and make Amazon the home of our most successful returning Sky Atlantic original drama series.”

Fortitude is an Amazon Original Series in the US and Sky Original Production in the UK, produced by Fifty Fathoms, the makers of BAFTA-winning Marvellous, for BBC Two. The series is created and written by Simon Donald, and executive produced by Donald, Faye Dorn (Inspector George Gently) and Patrick Spence (The A Word). Trevor Hopkins (Strike Back) and Susie Liggat (Doctor Who) serve as producers.

Fortitude will be available for Prime members to stream and enjoy using the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Amazon Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online, along with other Amazon Original Series at Amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship, and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 100 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV, and more, available to Amazon Prime members in the US as add-ons to their membership. To view the full list of available channels, visit www.amazon.com/channels.
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers.
•     Instant Access: Customers can instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on compatible TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content.

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalog with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more, visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

About Sky Vision
Sky Vision is the production and distribution arm of Sky. The distribution arm represents around 5,000 hours of quality primetime programming from Sky Originals and independent third-party production, across all key primetime genres (drama, entertainment, factual entertainment and factual). The business also has equity investments in seven production businesses in the UK and US; Love Productions, Blast! Films, Sugar Films and Sky Vision Productions in the UK; and in the US, Jupiter Entertainment, Talos Films and Znak & Co.

In addition to its equity investments, Sky Vision works extensively within dependent producers in the UK and US and has development deals with a number of production companies; including Asylum Entertainment and Peacock Alley in North America; and Avanti Media, Bohemia, Chalkboard, LittleRock Pictures, Merman Films and Spring Films in the UK.

About Fifty Fathoms
Fifty Fathoms was set up by Patrick Spence under Endemol Shine Group in 2010. Patrick now runs the company with Katie Swinden (Peaky Blinders, Marvellous). Filming recently completed on Guerrilla, a 6 x 60' series for Sky Atlantic and Showtime, written and directed by Academy Award winner John Ridley, starring Freida Pinto, Babou Ceesay, Rory Kinnear, Denise Gough, Danny Mays, Zawe Ashton and Idris Elba, about two political activists fighting against a racist police force in 1970s London.

Fifty Fathoms’ 2014 debut production, Marvellous, a 90′ single film written by Peter Bowker, told the incredible true story of Neil Baldwin, a man who refused to accept the label of learning difficulties. Directed by Julian Farino (Entourage, The Office (US) ) and starring Toby Jones and Gemma Jones, it went on to win BAFTAs for Best Single Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress; Best Writer and Director, RTS; Best Film and Best Actor, BPG and Best Film, Writers Guild Awards and FIPA. And they have been picked up for a second season of The A Word, Pete Bowker's 6 x 60' series for BBC1 and Sundance, directed by Peter Cattaneo, starring Christopher Eccleston, Lee Ingleby and Morven Christie, a co-production with Keshet.

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

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"Anonymous Noise" Sings on March 7th

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES ANONYMOUS NOISE

Music And Teenage Angst Collide In Shojo Manga About A Talented Singer’s Unrequited Love

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the launch of a powerful new shojo manga series about passion, music and unrequited love with the launch of ANONYMOUS NOISE on March 7th, 2017.

The series, by creator Ryoko Fukuyama, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint. Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. ANONYMOUS NOISE also launches digitally via VIZ.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Subsequent volumes of ANONYMOUS NOISE will be published in English on a bi-monthly basis.

In the series, Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Both boys promised Nino that they would find her one day through her singing, so she holds on to that hope and continues to reach out with her voice. Now in high school, Nino serendipitously reunites with Yuzu, but she yearns to see Momo again…

“Creator Ryoko Fukuyama’s energetic pacing and stylized artwork help create a powerful story that showcases the longings of the heart,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “With a focus on the pangs of unrequited love and a developing love triangle, this new shojo series explores how music can help channel and enhance love. As Nino’s conflicted feelings emerge, the stage is set for an engrossing read that is sure to captivate both new and veteran shojo manga fans!”

Creator Ryoko Fukuyama is the author of Nosatsu Junkie, Monochrome Shonen Shojo and Shinzou ga Tarinai (Not Enough Heart). Her series, ANONYMOUS NOISE, will be adapted into an anime in the spring.

For more information on ANONYMOUS NOISE or other manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Image Comics Announces Its Emerald City Comic Con 2017 Plans

IMAGE COMICS AT EMERALD CITY COMIC CON

Creator-owned panels, con exclusive variants, and signings for the #FutureOfComics

Image Comics is pleased to return to Seattle this year for Emerald City Comic Con on Thursday, March 2nd through Sunday, March 5th 2017. Please note: updates to the schedule may appear online during the show. Please refer to the www.imagecomics.com post for the most up-to-date information.

LIMITED* CONVENTION EXCLUSIVE VARIANTS SOLD AT THE IMAGE BOOTH (#1510):
* Quantities will be limited by customer and per day on a first come, first served basis. Please ask at the Image booth about availability.

    ROYAL CITY #1 by Jeff Lemire, $10 (+tax)
    THE OLD GUARD #1 by Greg Rucka & Leandro Fernandez, $10 (+tax)
    RAT QUEENS #1 by Kurtis Wiebe & Owen Gieni, $10 (+tax) (sold at Artist Alley table F10 only)
    MAGDALENA #0 by Tini Howard, Ryan Cady & Christian Dibari, $2 (sold only at Artist Alley table S-1)
    SEVEN TO ETERNITY, VOL. 1 hardcover by Rick Remender & Jerome Opena, $35 (+tax)
    KILL OR BE KILLED, VOL. 1 hardcover by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips & Elizabeth Breitweiser, $35 (+tax)
    GLITTERBOMB, VOL. 1 trade paperback by Jim Zub & Djibril Morissette-Phan, cover by Ray Fawkes, $15 (+tax), (sold at Artist Alley table V3 only)

LIMITED* MERCHANDISE:
* Limited quantity available for sale at the Image booth.

    BLACK SCIENCE statue, $150 (+tax)
    Exclusive ECCC DESCENDER print, $5 (+tax), (proceeds to benefit the ACLU)
    Image Comics' 25th Anniversary commemorative enamel pin, $10 (+tax)

PANELS HOSTED BY IMAGE COMICS:

Image Comics Announcements
Thursday, 4:15PM – 6:15PM
Image Comics is bringing the Future of Comics to Emerald City Comicon in 2017 with this special two-hour presentation. Featuring a keynote speech by publisher Eric Stephenson about the past, present, and future of comics and a full slate of brand-new series to be announced, this panel is sure to set the tone for the year and give you plenty of great comics to look forward to reading.

Image Comics: 25th Anniversary Founders Panel
Friday, 1PM- 2:30PM
Twenty-five years ago, a group of comics artists looked at the difference between what they were capable of and what they were being given, and left the promise of steady work for new pastures. The result was Image Comics, which has grown from an upstart group to a comics publisher that has changed the course of the industry. Image's 25th anniversary year begins with this special event, a rare gathering that is not to be missed.

The Future Of Comics: Cultivating Identity
Friday, 4PM – 5PM
The comics you love the most tend to have a personal touch, something that helps you relate to the characters, or makes a fantastic situation more believable. Corinna Bechko (INVISIBLE REPUBLIC), Ray Fawkes (UNDERWINTER: SYMPHONY), Gabriel Hardman (THE BELFRY), and a few more special guests make works that use the personal touch to great effect, and they're ready to share their insights with you.

The Future of Comics: Your Brand-New Favorites
Saturday, 12:15PM – 1:15PM
Your favorite comics don't look anything like those of your parents, siblings, or even your friends. There is such a wide variety of material out there that you can grab a comic on nearly any subject and find something to fall in love with. The work of Charles Soule (CURSE WORDS), Kurtis Wiebe (RAT QUEENS), Daniel Warren Johnson (EXTREMITY), and Joe Harris & Megan Hutchison (ROCKSTARS) is fantastic, no matter the genre they're working in. Come find your new favorite comics at this panel, and discover a few new favorite creators, too.

The Future of Comics: Pure Storytelling
Sunday, 1:15PM – 2:15PM
Curious about making comics? Want to give your storytelling talents a boost? Image Comics is pleased to present Kaare Andrews (RENATO JONES: THE ONE%), Jeff Lemire (ROYAL CITY), Emi Lenox (PLUTONA), Steve Lieber (THE FIX), and a few special guests. These cartoonists are incredibly talented, and experts in storytelling. Come pick the brains of the masters and enjoy a lively conversation about telling stories in comics.

SIGNINGS* HOSTED AT IMAGE COMICS BOOTH (#1510):
*wristbands will be available for fans to pick up as soon as doors open, first come, first served, at the Image booth on the day of the desired ticketed signing.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3
11 - 12 PM, Robert Kirkman* (wristband required, 3-item limit)
12 - 12:45 PM, Joseph Keatinge & Wook-Jin Clark
2 - 2:45 PM, Justin Jordan + surprise creator
3 - 3:45 PM, Joe Casey

3:00–4:30 PM: Image Comics Founders Signing in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel located next door to the Washington State Convention Center.* (ECCC will coordinate a ‘lottery system’ where badge-holding fans will submit their names and a lucky 300 fans will win a limited edition poster and admission to have it signed by the founders. Lottery applications are open on the Emerald City Comicon website until February 21. Details here).

4 - 4:45 PM, Kurtis Wiebe + Owen Gieni
5 - 5:45 PM, Donny Cates
5 - 5:45 PM, John Layman

SATURDAY, MARCH 4
11 - 11:45 PM, surprise creators
11 - 11:45 PM, Chris Sebela
12:15 - 1:15 PM, Robert Kirkman* (wristband required, 3-item limit)
1 - 1:45 PM, surprise creators
2 - 2:45 PM, Jeff Lemire* (wristband required, 3-item limit)
3 - 3:45 PM, Rick Remender* (wristband required, 3-item limit)
3 - 3:45 PM, Daniel Warren Johnson
4 - 4:45 PM, Declan Shalvey + Jordie Bellaire
5 - 5:45 PM, surprise creators

SUNDAY, MARCH 5
11 - 11:45 AM, Becky Cloonan
11 - 11: 45 AM, Stefano Gaudiano & Tony Akins
12 - 12:45 PM, Doug Wagner
1 - 1:45 PM, Rick Remender* (wristband required, 3-item limit)

IMAGE CREATORS IN ARTIST ALLEY:
Andrews, Kaare Kyle: F-9
Bautista, Gabriel: DD13
Bechko, Corinna: N1
Belanger, Andy: U6
Bergin, Joseph: Y3A
Brisson, Ed: U11
Casey, Joe: N9
Christmas, Johnny: U13
Dalrymple, Farel: E-7
DeConnick, Kelly Sue: J8
Dodson, Terry: A1/A2
Fairbairn, Nathan: DD16
Fawkes, Ray: J4
Fraction, Matt: J7
Gaudiano, Stefano: B3
Gerads, Mitch: C-2A
Giarrusso, Chris: V9
Greenwood, Justin: U11
Haberlin, Brian: Booth 1601
Hardman, Gabriel: N1
Harren, James: D7
Harris, Joe: V14
Hawkins, Matt: S-1
Haun, Jeremy: R4
Hutchison, Megan: V14
Kelly, Joe: N10
Latour, Jason: P7
Lemire, Jason: G1
Lieber, Steve: H16
Mahfood, Jim: U7
McClaren, Meredith: Booth 208
Norton, Mike: U-8
Robinson, Andrew: FF11
Rouleau, Duncan: N11
Seagle, Steven T.: N12
Schirmer, Brian: B9
Wagner, Matt: L12
Ward, Malachi: E5
Wiebe, Kurtis: F10
Zub, Jim: V3


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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2017 Independent Spirit Awards; "Moonlight" Wins "Best Feature of 2016"

Film Independent’s Spirit Awards (formerly known as the Independent Spirit Awards) were founded in 1984 and are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers.  Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and also the Los Angeles Film Festival.

The 2017 / 32nd Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2017.  [Nominations were announced November 22, 2016.]  The awards ceremony was held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier.  The show was broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET.

2017 Film Independent Spirit Award winners:

BEST FEATURE – Award given to the producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.
Moonlight
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski

BEST DIRECTOR
Barry Jenkins – Moonlight

BEST SCREENPLAY
Moonlight - Barry Jenkins; Story By Tarell Alvin McCraney   

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Isabelle Huppert - Elle

BEST MALE LEAD
Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Molly Shannon - Other People

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Ben Foster - Hell or High Water

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Moonlight - James Laxton

BEST EDITING
Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders - Moonlight

BEST FIRST FEATURE – Award given to the director and producer.
The Witch
Director: Robert Eggers
Producers: Daniel Bekerman, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Jodi Redmond, Rodrigo Teixeira

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
The Witch - Robert Eggers

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.

Spa Night
Writer/Director: Andrew Ahn
Producers: David Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.

Moonlight
Director: Barry Jenkins
Casting Director: Yesi Ramirez
Ensemble Cast: Mahershala Ali, Patrick Decile, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders

BEST DOCUMENTARY – Award given to the director and producer.
O.J.: Made in America
Director/Producer: Ezra Edelman
Producers: Deirdre Fenton, Libby Geist, Nina Krstic, Erin Leyden, Tamara Rosenberg, Connor Schell, Caroline Waterlow

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM – Award given to the director.
Toni Erdmann (Germany and Romania)
Director: Maren Ade

20th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 20th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

Jordana Mollick

23rd ANNUAL KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 23rd annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.

Anna Rose Holmer
Director of The Fits

22nd TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 22nd annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Nanfu Wang
Director of Hooligan Sparrow

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