Comics Alliance: An AOL Comic Book Community

Tales from the Crypt #4
Written by Neil Kleid, Don McGregor and Jim Salicrup
Art by Chris Noeth, James Romberger, Marguerite Van Cooke and Rick Parker

The GhouLunatics introduce two tales of hi-tech terror! First, poor Andy Dabbstein learns in "Extra Life" that playing Ogre Continent online in a virtual world can have deadly consequences in reality. Also, meth dealer Stony Blake is so successful that he has a specially made cell phone embedded in his skull. But when the sister of one of his OD-ed customers seeks revenge, it becomes "Crystal Clear" that no
fancy gimmicks will save him.

Bi-monthly full-color comic book
48 pages
$3.95

Nancy Drew graphic novel #12: "Dress Reversal"
Written by Stephan Petrucha
Art by Sho Murase

When Bess and George help Nancy pick out a dress for Deirdre's big party, little do they suspect that Deirdre's wearing the same dress. After an altercation with the perturbed hostess, Nancy leaves the party only to be grabbed by a dark figure, tossed into a van and kidnapped! That leaves Bess and George to find out what happened to her. Things get complicated further when Bess and George's number-one suspect, Deirdre, is kidnapped too!

Full-color trade paperback
5" x 7 1/2"
112 pages
$7.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-086-7
Also in collector's hardcover
$12.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-087-4

SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM

The Wind in the Willows (Classics Illustrated Deluxe #1)
By Kenneth Grahame; adapted by Michel Plessix

The great Classics Illustrated that everybody remembers is back with beautiful, high-quality adaptations of classic stories. Classics Illustrated is one of the most recognized names in comics. In its heyday, it sold over 200 million copies with hundreds of issues adapting the great classics. Papercutz relaunches Classics Illustred with a Deluxe line presenting carefully rendered, full-length adaptations, true and respectful to the originals. Instead of feeling like the story has been condensed, the expansive number of pages allows for the entire novel to be fully adapted.

The first volume presents graphic novelist Michel Plessix's lush adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. The artwork is in aquarelle, with thin, precise, detailed lines. Plessix breathes life into Mole, Rat, and Toad (of Toad Hall) as they picnic on the riverbank, indulge in Toad's latest fad, and get lost in Wild Wood. The pacing is masterful: each panel lingers just long enough to make you appreciate the same simple pleasures of life as the original novel.

Full-color hardcover
6 1/2" x 9", 144 pages
$17.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-095-9
Trade paperback
$13.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-096-6

The Hardy Boys, Volume 11: "Abracadeath"
By Scott Lobdell, writer and Tim Smith 3

When some of the world's most amazing magicians start disappearing (and not in a magical way) Frank and Joe Hardy pit themselves against a trio of powerful young masters of illusion!

Full-color trade paperback
5" x 7 1/2"
112 pages
$7.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-080-5
Collector's hardcover
$12.95
ISBN 978-1-59707-081-2

SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM

Press Release

The original, best-selling series of comics adaptations of the world's greatest literature, Classics Illustrated returns in two new formats-the original, featuring abridged versions of classic novels, and Classics Illustrated Deluxe, featuring longer, more expansive adaptations. The books come from Papercutz, publisher of graphic-novel series such as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Tales from the Crypt. The new line begins in November with Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, adapted by French artist Michel Plessix.

The 144-page volume - available in both hardcover ($17.95) and trade paperback editions ($13.95) - collects Plessix's four 32-page Wind in the Willows adaptations, published from 1998 through 2001. Art from the series is available at:
http://www.nbmpub.com/fairytales/plessix/grahamwillowprev1.html
http://www.nbmpub.com/fairytales/plessix/grah2prev.html
http://www.nbmpub.com/fairytales/plessix/willow3prev1.html

Plessix's work has earned shining reviews such as:
"Excellent! Lively and fun!"-Children's Bookwatch

"The classically detailed art invites the eye and the cozy charm of the story soothes the modern nerves."-San Antonio Express-News

"Immeasurably enhanced by the classic European illustration that brings to mind the best storybooks of our childhood."-Memphis Commercial Appeal

"Adds dramatic flair to the beloved story."-Publishers Weekly

Future volumes of Classics Illustrated will include Great Expectations by Rick Geary, followed by a compilation of Grimm's Fairy Tales, The Invisible Man (by Geary), Oliver Twist, Tom Sawyer, and Robinson Crusoe.

Classics Illustrated was the creation of Albert Lewis Kanter (1897-1973), a visionary publisher. Inspired by the success of the early comic books published in the early 30s and late 40s, Kanter believed he could use the same medium to introduce young readers to great literature. In 1941, he launched Classic Comics (changed to Classics Illustrated in 1947). Soon, students and teachers were using his comic-book adaptations of Shakespeare, Stevenson, Twain, Verne, and other authors. For thirty years, over 200 publications in Kanter's Classics Illustrated and Classics Illustrated Junior introduced young readers worldwide to literature, history, folklore, mythology, and science.

Classics Illustrated was re-launched in 1990 in graphic novel/book form by the Berkley Publishing Group and First Publishing, Inc. featuring all-new adaptations by such top graphic novelists as Rick Geary, Bill Sienkiewicz, Kyle Baker, Gahan Wilson, and others. Papercutz will reprint many of these excellent adaptations, which will comprise the new series of Classics Illustrated titles. Papercutz has also obtained rights to all-new adaptations of the classics by some of the world's finest graphic novelists. These new adaptations devote three to five times as many comics pages as the previous series and more fully capture the depth of the original novels. These adaptations will run as a separate series entitled Classics Illustrated Deluxe.

Press Release

New stories of horror in the EC Comics tradition prove monstrously popular

Papercutz' Tales from the Crypt #1, which revived the legendary EC Comics horror comic book, has sold out its entire 25,000-copy print run.

The issue, which shipped in June, is the first of an ongoing, bi-monthly series from the publisher of the popular Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys comics. The issue includes:

• "Artistic License," by horror author Marc Bilgrey (H.P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror) and Mr. Exes (Abra Cadaver). Two nosy, somewhat murderous neighbors discover the shocking inspiration for Jack Kroll's outsider artwork.

• "For Serious Collectors Only," by Rob Vollmar (Bluesman) and Steve Mannion (Batman). Thomas Donalley-a middle-aged action-figure collector who lives in his mom's basement-goes a little too far to get an ultra-rare Japanese figure.

• Introductory pages featuring the GhouLunatics by writer Jim Salicrup and artist Rick Parker (Beavis and Butt-Head).

• Cover by award-winning artist Kyle Baker (Birth of a Nation, Plastic Man, Why I Hate Saturn).

Future issues will include stories by Fred Van Lente (Marvel Adventures), Xeric Grant winner Neil Kleid, Stefan Petrucha (The Shadow of Frankenstein, Papercutz' NANCY DREW), Don McGregor (Zorro), Sho Murase (NANCY DREW), and other great talents. Each issue is 48 full-color pages for an affordable $3.95.

Press Release

TALES FROM THE CRYPT #3
Writers: Mort Todd, Stefan Petrucha, Jim Salicrup
Artists: Steve Mannion, Don Hudson, Rick Parker
The premier pulse-pounding horror comic is back with all-new petrifying, picto-fiction parodies of today's pop culture!

• "A Murderin' Idol", by Monsters Attack! writer Mort Todd and artist Steve Mannion, reveals shocking secrets behind the top-rated TV talent contest. Find out how far someone is willing to go to win it all!

• "Slabbed!", by X-Files writer Stefan Petrucha and artist Don Hudson, takes a look at the dark side of comics collecting. When Derrick tries to sell his stolen comic to a dealer, he finds out what comics are really worth, and it's not anything listed in the Overstreet Price Guide!

• Creepy introductions by the Crypt-Keeper, the Old Witch, and the Vault-Keeper, insCRYPTed by writer Jim Salicrup and drawn by Beavis and Butt-head artist Rick Parker.

Bi-monthly comic book, 48 pages, full-color, cover price $3.95

NEW TALES FROM THE CRYPT Graphic Novel #2 "Can You Fear Me Now?"
Stefan Petrucha, Don McGregor, etc.
Presenting four all-new TALES FROM THE CRYPT by today's top graphic novel authors and artists.

• "The Garden", by Action Philosophers, "Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four writer Fred Van Lente and artist Mr. Exes, is the shocking tale of a man named Richard, who is promised servants and beautiful women waiting on him hand and foot in paradise, all in exchange for completing one simple task.

• "The Tenant", by Neil Kleid, author of Brownsville features the fearsome fate of slumlord James Winchell, who, after one of his tenants dies due to his neglect, is forced to live in one of his buildings by a creepy cemetery.

• "Crystal Clear" by Don McGregor offers a frightening look at what happens to a gangster, with a cell phone technology imbedded in his head, when one of his victims seeks revenge.

• And finally, "Slabbed," by Nancy Drew, Timetripper, and X-Files writer Stefan Petrucha and artist Don Hudson, depicts the dire consequences of what can happen to you if you sell a priceless collector's comic book to the wrong dealer.

• All stories introduced by The Crypt-Keeper, and his fellow GhouLunatics, The Old Witch and The Vault-Keeper, in classic pun-filled CRYPT-style by writer Jim Salicrup and Beavis & Butt-head artist Rick Parker. Includes stories not seen in the comic books.

5" x 7 1/2", 112 pages, full color trade paperback, $7.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-084-3
Also in collector's hardcover: $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-085-0

SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM

BONEYARD #26
By RICHARD MOORE
Comic book, black-and-white interior art, color cover, $2.95
A favorite since its first issue, Boneyard is about Michael Paris, a nice guy who inherits a graveyard and finds that it's the home of bizarre creatures such as the cute vampire Abbey, the brainy but inept demon Glump, and the evil Mayor Wormwood.
This month, royal guards take Michael's friend Lita to the realm of Faerie by force. The Boneyard gang meets them head-on, but muscle won't help when Michael is sucked through the portal after Lita and the guards. He finds himself in a very hostile world . . . with no way back!

BONEYARD, Volume 6
By RICHARD MOORE
Trade paperback, 7" x 11", 96 pages, black-and-white interior art, color cover, $9.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-510-8
In this book, which collects Boneyard #21-24, Abbey attends a posh party where she must make a good impression with the Illuminary, head of all fantastic creatures. But when she heads with Michael into her private meeting with the Illuminary, arch-rival Lilith slips her a mickey that makes her act uncontrollably badly!

Here's what the press has been saying about Boneyard:
"Boneyard has been consistent pure fun. It's got action, miles of comedy, a wonderfully written potential romance between Michael and Abbey, and it's slowly adding weight and consequence. Boneyard is a gem that deserves fame and acclaim. If you like humor, if you like horror, hell, if you like comics, pick up Boneyard." - Newsarama

"Well rendered, witty tale. Recommended for teens and adults." - Library Journal

"A series garnering great word of mouth and increasing sales based on pure craftsmanship and enjoyment. The real hooks are Moore's terrific drawing style and spot on comic timing."- Troy Brownfield, Comicon.com/Pulse

"It's simply a delight." - Andrew Smith, Scripps-Howard papers

"Everything a comic about friendly monsters should be. Moore's strength is his ear for dialogue and timing." - Publishers Weekly

HOUSE OF CLAY
By NAOMI NOWAK
Full-color trade paperback, 5" x 7 1/2", 144 pages, $12.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-511-5
A girl who used to be rich gets surprised while working in a sweatshop. She finds herself in a love tangle with no confidantes but a rude old card-reading lady with an eerily similar romantic past and a mute girl. Is there also a little bit of magic in the air?
Raves for Nowak's first book, Unholy Kinship:

"A beautifully told story that will leave you wanting more from this young artist. A great debut." - Jazma Online

"She's clearly a gifted artist, a very good debut, literate and thoughtful, and I look forward to more from this talented creator." - Marc Mason, Comicswaitingroom.com

"Nowak is clearly a talent who will bear watching. She creates several interesting characters, knows how to establish a strong premise, and she's not afraid to follow a number of interesecting story lines. Most importantly, she is completely fearless about describing her character's difficult emotional states." - Publishers Weekly

AMEROTICA/EUROTICA
HONEY LICKERS SORORITY, Volume 1
By CHRISTIAN ZANIER
Trade paperback, 8 1/2" x 11", 48 pages, $10.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-518-4
Tammy is a Big Woman On Campus. And by big, we don't just mean tits. We mean hung big. She rises to lead a whole new sorority of sex where the hazing tests your capacity for sexual abandon. By the best-selling artist of Banana Games - but this one's all sex, no violence.

SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.NBMPUBLISHING.COM

PAPERCUTZ
NANCY DREW GRAPHIC NOVEL #11: "Monkey-Wrench Blues"
by writers Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney and artist Sho Murase
Paperback graphic novel, 5"x 7 1/2", 112 pages, $7.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-086-7
Also in collector's hardcover: $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-087-4
When Bess and George help Nancy pick out a dress for Deirdre's big party, little do they suspect it's the dress Deirdre will be wearing. After a minor altercation with the perturbed hostess, Nancy leaves the party only to be grabbed by a dark figure, tossed into a van and kidnapped! That leaves Bess and George to solve the mystery of exactly what just happened to Nancy. Things get complicated further when Bess and George's number one suspect, Deirdre, is kidnapped too!

SEE MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM

Press Release

HARDY BOYS, Vol. 10: A Hardy's Day Night
Written by Scott Lobdell; art by Paulo Henrique

In this change-of-pace adventure, the Hardy Boys discover a rogue mentor agent within A.T.A.C. -- when that agent tries to kill them! As it turns out, though, he was being manipulated by malevolent forces who kidnapped his child -- and now the Hardy Boys have only until dawn to find the man's son!

Book details: 5" x 7," 112 pages, full color paperback, cover price $7.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-070-6

Also available as a collector's hardcover, $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-071-3

For previews and more information, visit www.papercutz.com.

P.S. Papercutz has received a nomination for Best Graphic Novel from The Ben Franklin Awards - the well-known independent press book honors - for The Life of John Paul II... in Comics!