TWO ALL-NEW TRANSFORMERS SERIES DEBUTING IN JANUARY

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The Taylor Network

“Two Titles, One Universe”

Two Series to follow shattering TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue in December

San Diego, CA (December 21, 2011)— Launching in January, IDW Publishing is proud to offer TRANSFORMERS and comics fans everywhere two new ongoing TRANSFORMERS comics series– TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE. Under license from Hasbro, the two interrelated series are a direct continuation of IDW’s CHAOS event and spring directly out of the special TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue releasing in comic stores and online on December 21st. Both series will appeal to existing TRANSFORMERS fans and new readers. Featuring two great stories under one TRANSFORMERS comic universe, each series offers never-before-seen action, new threats and new villains that both current readers and those new to the series will enjoy.

“The response to the TRANSFORMERS ongoing series has been phenomenal,” says IDW senior editor John Barber. “This relaunch is a chance to jump onboard for anybody who might have been missing out. We’ve got big stories planned, and there’s never been a better time to read TRANSFORMERS.”

Created as a stepping on point for both fans of super-heroic and science fiction comics, as well as fans of the TRANSFORMERS characters, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE and TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE each explore the new status quo coming out of IDW’s CHAOS event including BUMBLEBEE’s new leadership position for all TRANSFORMERS. The war between AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON is over, and now the hard part begins. In the new world of CYBERTRON, there are only two choices: stay or go.

Helmed by writer James Roberts with art and covers by Nick Roche, RODIMUS calls on his fellow AUTOBOTS to leave CYBERTRON in search of the KNIGHTS OF CYBERTRON in TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. This lost tribe of TRANSFORMERS characters is, according to legend, the guardian of the original Cybertronian culture and RODIMUS and his followers begin a quest that will stretch to the farthest reaches of the galaxy to find the KNIGHTS and restore CYBERTRON to its past glory.

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, written by John Barber, with art and covers by Andrew Griffith, follows BUMBLEBEE and the AUTOBOTS remaining on CYBERTRON. Without OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE finds himself in command of a world gone mad. TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DIGUISE brings readers through the struggle to rebuild CYBERTRON as the AUTOBOTS, DECEPTICONS and civilian TRANSFORMERS, who don’t distinguish between the other two groups, all vie for control.

Each series will feature four interconnecting covers for issue #1. Marcele Matere creates the Cybertronian mosaic for TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DIGUISE, with Alex Milne bringing the explorers to life for TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.

These two new, action-packed series are the direct result of IDW’s CHAOS event, culminating in December’s TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME and TRANSFORMERS #31.

In addition to the print editions, IDW’S TRANSFORMERS comics are available digitally through Apple’s App Store in the free TRANSFORMERS app, which features every TRANSFORMERS comic in one place. Many TRANSFORMERS comics are available in the Sony Digital Comics store.

TRANSFORMERS #31 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in December 2011. Diamond order code OCT11 0323.

TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in December 2011. Diamond order code OCT11 0326.

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #1 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in January 2012. Diamond order code NOV11 0260.

TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE #1 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in January 2012. Diamond order code NOV11 0264.

TRANSFORMERS comics are available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple App Store.

IMAGE EXPO ANNOUNCES SPECIAL GUESTS

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The Taylor Network

Bay Area Comic Book Convention Features Today’s Best Creators

Berkeley, CA – 15 December 2011 – IMAGE EXPO, the one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics and celebrating creator-owned comics, is announcing many new guests! Joining the Image Comics partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino and Image founders Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio, are the following stars of creator-owned comics.

Blair Butler, the host of G4′s Fresh Ink and 2011′s break out writer of HEART, the comic that shows the human side of MMA, will be joining the line up. Writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory, co-creators of CHEW, everyone’s favorite Eisner Award winning gross-out detective comic will also be there. Add to that rising star Nick Spencer, the writer behind such hits as MORNING GLORIES, FORGETLESS, Ultimate Comics: X-Men, and soon Robert Kirkman’s THIEF OF THIEVES, and IMAGE EXPO already has a solid line up!

But that’s not all! Some of the other guests at IMAGE EXPO include:

Keu Cha (MAGDALENA)
Joshua Fialkov (ECHOES, THE LAST OF THE GREATS, I, Vampire)
Edwin Huang (SKULLKICKERS)
Joe Keatinge (POPGUN, GLORY, HELL YEAH)
Larry Marder (BEANWORLD)
Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men, MIND THE GAP)
Marat Mychaels (BLINDSIDE)
Jimmie Robinson (BOMBQUEEN)
Eric Shanower (AGE OF BRONZE)
Kurtis Wiebe (INTREPIDS, GREEN WAKE, PETER PANZERFAUST)
Jim Zubkavich (SKULLKICKERS)

Some of the other previously announced guests include:

Joe Casey (Ben 10, BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER, HAUNT)
Jay Faerber (Ringer, DYNAMO 5, NEAR DEATH)
Jonathan Hickman (THE NIGHTLY NEWS, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS)
Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE)
Fiona Staples (SAGA)
Richard Starkings (Comicraft, ELEPHANTMEN)
Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Runaways, SAGA)

IMAGE EXPO is a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center, and Northern California’s premier comic con experience in 2012. The Berkeley-based publisher will be filling the demand for a 2012 Bay Area comic book convention that was left unfulfilled when WonderCon announced their temporary relocation to Anaheim, California. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center in the heart of the bustling nightlife and restaurant center of downtown Oakland, CA on February 24-25-26.

Experience the creativity of the men and women making the best creator owned comics in America at this one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics!

There are still some opportunities to be part of IMAGE EXPO available, but space is going fast, so sign up for your exhibitor or artist alley space today! Contact info@ImageComicExpo.com for more information about how to exhibit or sign up for press passes. For more information about the show, visit www.imagecomicexpo.com.

Lowe’s pulls ads from the TLC’s All American Muslim

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The Taylor Network

Lowe’s stands by its decision to pull its ads from TLC’s All-American Muslim even after being presented with 200,000 signatures urging it to reinstate its advertising on the show on Tuesday.

According to The Charlotte Observer, ministers from the interfaith Mecklenburg Ministries presented Lowe’s, Inc. with petitions signed by 200,000 parishioners urging the company to begin advertising on the show again. The company met with the representatives for more than an hour, but rebuffed their request. Yet, the ministers said they appreciated that the company took the time to discuss the issue with them.

“There’s a way to engage in responsible dialogue,” Rev. James Leach says. “Even when we think we have a deep disagreement.”

Despite the controversy the ad pull has created — including a boycott, a commercial parody gone viral, and celebrity protesters including Kal Penn, Mia Farrow, and Russell Simmons — the company defends its decision. It was, however, taken aback by the response.

HBO Cancels ‘Hung,’ ‘Bored To Death’ And ‘How To Make It In America,’ Renews ‘Enlightened’

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The Taylor Network

Reported by the Huffington press-

HBO has canceled three of its shows: “Hung,” “How to Make it in America” and “Bored to Death,” Variety was the first to report. But the primetime cable network did spare one series. According to TVLine, the struggling “Enlightened” was renewed.

“Hung,” which just ended its third season, starred Thomas Jane as a gym teacher-turned male hooker. Jane Adams, Anne Heche and Rebecca Creskoff also starred. The Season 3 finale aired on Dec. 4 and pulled in under 1 million viewers.

The Bryan Greenberg-fronted “How to Make it in America,” about breaking into New York City’s fashion scene, just ended its second season. The show, which also starred Lake Bell and Victor Rasuk, brought in under 600,000 for its Season 2 finale.

“Bored to Death” wrapped its third season in late November. The show starred Jason Schwartzman as a fictional Jonathan Ames as well as Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis. Despite its impressive cast, “Bored to Death” only had 200,000 viewers tune into the Season 3 finale last month.

The survivor, “Enlightened,” starring Laura Dern, will return for a second season. The show recently picked up several Golden Globe nominations, including one for Best Comedy.