Author Archives: Ashley Kronsberg

‘Pulp’ and ‘Billionaire Island’ Make Library Journal’s Best Books of 2020 List

LIBRARY JOURNAL is an American trade publication for librarians and reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, as well as offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice. Along with reviews, exclusive previews, interviews, and more, LIBRARY JOURNAL announces their Best Books of the year list annual. This year PULP by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, published by Image Comics, and BILLIONAIRE ISLAND by Mark Russell and Steve Pugh, published by Ahoy Comics, were announced as two of LIBRARY JOURNAL’S picks for Best Books of 2020.

PULP

Written by: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated by: Sean Phillips
Published by: Image Comics
ISBN: 9781534316447
Price: $16.99
Genre: Crime & Mystery
On Sale: Available Now!

Max Winters, a pulp writer in 1930s New York, finds himself drawn into a story not unlike the tales he churns out at 5 cents a word – tales of a wild west outlaw dispensing justice with a six-gun. But will Max be able to do the same, when pursued by bank robbers, Nazi spies, and enemies from his past?

One part thriller, one part meditation on a life of violence, PULP is unlike anything the award-winning team of BRUBAKER and PHILLIPS have ever done. A celebration of pulp fiction, set in a world on the brink. And another must-have hardback from one of comics most-acclaimed teams. 

“Thrilling… VERDICT Eisner Award winners Brubaker and Phillips (Kill or Be Killed Deluxe Edition), joined by artist Jacob Phillips (Cruel Summer), continue their streak as the best team in comics, delivering more intrigue and wonderfully developed, memorable characters in 72 pages than most creators can manage in twice as many.”

LIBRARY JOURNAL

BILLIONAIRE ISLAND

Written by: Mark Russell
Illustrated by: Steve Pugh
Published by: Ahoy Comics
ISBN: 9781952090028
Price: $16.99
Genre: Dystopian
On Sale: Available Now!

A savage satire reuniting the critically acclaimed team behind DC’s The Flintstones—writer Mark Russell (SECOND COMING) and artist Steve Pugh (Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass)—in a new graphic novel. Welcome to Billionaire Island, where anything goes…if you can afford it. But the island’s ultra-rich inhabitants are about to learn that their ill-gotten gains come at a VERY high price.

Mad Cave Studios Inks Exclusive Distribution Deal with Diamond

(Hunt Valley, MD) — (November 11, 2020) — Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with Mad Cave Studios to exclusively distribute their products to comic book specialty markets worldwide. Diamond was also awarded the rights to exclusively distribute Mad Cave’s new releases to the worldwide book market under the banner of Diamond Book Distributors.

Mad Cave Studios is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded by Mark London in 2014, driven by madness and committed to providing quality entertainment with a fresh take in an array of genres. Mad Cave focuses on uplifting the comic community by supporting the underrepresented and writing stories that resonate with unapologetically authentic audiences. From horror and fantasy to sci-fi and adventure, Mad Cave Studios has a comic for every kind of reader. An unquestionable passion for creating comics and an undeniable commitment towards maddening creativity underscores Mad Cave’s drive to provide high-quality entertainment for today’s comic book reading audience.

“Mad Cave is truly excited to be partnering up with Diamond Books in an effort to establish ourselves in the book market and continue expanding in the direct market,” said Mad Cave Studios Publisher, Chris Fernandez.

CEO & CCO, Mark London adds, “Our true goal here is to offer graphic novels and comics that thrill and excite; for the youth that thinks differently today. We are publishing for those not afraid to be independent, who find freedom in the unexpected, and who will always fight to be the true versions of themselves.”

Mad Cave Studios boasts an ever-growing library of work, with comic books and graphic novels ranging from horror to fantasy to sci-fi and everything in between. Honor and Curse, written by Mark London with art from Nicolás Salamanca and colors from Tekino, tells the tale of a skilled and ambitious shinobi with dreams of leading his warrior clan, when an evil mountain spirit from his past inhabits his body and turns him into an unstoppable force of nature incapable of remorse. Knights of the Golden Sun, written by Mark London with art from Mauricio Villarreal, is a biblical epic set during the four hundred years that separate the Old Testament from the New Testament. In this period, neither man nor angel can hear God’s divine message, and a power struggle erupts among the Archangels and the Fallen over who will control the Father’s throne. Battlecats, also from Mark London, is a medieval fantasy comic set in Valderia – a majestic world shaped by its rich history and diverse feline cultures – which is protected by the Battlecats, an elite team of warriors sworn to protect the throne against the forces of evil.

“We are excited to begin a partnership with Mad Cave Studios and see great market potential in their books,” said Geppi Family Enterprises’ Chief Purchasing Officer, Tim Lenaghan. “Their continued effort to provide top-quality products that are both timely and relatable is an asset we value. We’re greatly looking forward to working with them to promote and sell their line of books.”

Honor and Curse Volume 1: Torn

MAD CAVE
9780998121550
Ages: 16+
Coming Soon!

Honor and Curse Volume 1: Torn collects all six issues of the smash-hit supernatural, shinobi series from Mad Cave Studios in this sharp trade paperback. Follow Genshi as he struggles to come to terms with the demon inside him, a forbidden love’s crazed father, and a fate yet to be determined. Complete with exclusive back matter, this is the perfect way to get caught up on the latest hit from Mark London, Nicolas Salamanca, and Tekino.

Knights of the Golden Sun Volume 1: Paradise Lost

MAD CAVE
9780998121543
Ages: 16+
Coming Soon!

Knights of the Golden Sun Vol. 1: Providence Lost collects all seven issues of the hit series from Mad Cave in a gorgeous trade paperback. Along with glorious art and epic storytelling, this collection includes a behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing this story to life. 

Battlecats Volume 1: The Hunt for the Dire Beast

MAD CAVE
9780998121512
Ages: 16+
Coming Soon!

Battlecats is an all-original medieval, fantasy epic created by Mark London. The story is set in the fictional realm of Valderia, an elaborate world shaped by both its rich history and diverse cultures. The Battlecats, lead by Kelthan of Stormholt, are an elite team of warriors sworn to fight the forces of evil that have set out to destroy the tradition and ideals of Valderia. Generation after generation, potential Battlecats are chosen from an early age and trained to one day protect the mandates of the Lion God, the realm, and the crown…

Wolvenheart Volume 1: Legendary Slayer

MAD CAVE
9780998121581
Ages: 16+
Coming Soon!

Led by the legendary professor Van Helsing, Wolvenheart is an organization dedicated to monitoring anomalies in the space-time continuum. After the group is infiltrated and decimated by a cabal of history’s most infamous villains, led by the most notorious serial killer of the 16th century, Elizabeth Bathory, monster hunter Sterling Cross winds up trapped in an alternate reality where his only choice is to fight his way through time and change the course of history.

RV9

MAD CAVE
9780998121598
Ages: 16+
Coming Soon!

Former assassin Velveteen is on the run from the Order of the 9, the organization that took her from her family and forced her into a life where all she knows is secrecy, violence, and death. Now, after years of running, she is bringing the fight to them. With help from an American hacker, Jasper, and a rookie officer with an attitude, Inspector Pazzi, Velveteen will use everything she was taught by the Order of the 9 against them.

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD) —Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, DCD is the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

ABOUT DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS — Diamond Book Distributors (DBD) is a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., and is dedicated to making a wide selection of its graphic novels and other pop-culture merchandise available to bookstores, libraries, schools, mass merchants and more worldwide. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, our team of professionals is committed to helping DBD’s client publishers tell their stories, grow their businesses and reach new customers. We work to provide insight at every stage of the publishing process—from initial concept, to marketing, sales and distribution.

DBD is the home to several world class publishers, including Image Comics, publisher of The Walking Dead, Saga, Monstress, and Spawn; Dynamite Entertainment, publisher of James Bond, Red Sonja, and Vampirella; Valiant Entertainment, publisher of Bloodshot, Ninjak, and X-O Manowar; as well as Gemstone Publishing, Paizo Publishing, and others.

© 2020 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, Diamond Books logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.

The Boys Interview: Garth Ennis Corresponds with Dear Becky

It’s been eight years since writer Garth Ennis concluded his run on The Boys. Since that time, Ennis’ blistering take on superheroes (with co-creator with Darick Robertson), has gone from the comics’ controversial hot potato to criticially-acclaimed Amazon Prime TV show. The writer Garth Ennis, artist Russ Braun, and publisher Dynamite are returning for more! The new book is called The Boys: Dear Becky, and it promises to flesh out both the pre-history of The Boys, relive some classic moments, and move the series into the future.

In the following interview, Garth Ennis explains how this new book connects to the original run and more.

The Boys: Dear Becky

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
ISBN: 9781524119904
Price: $19.99
Genre: Superheroes
Ages: 16+

On Sale: February 23, 2020

 

DIAMOND: The original run of The Boys ended in 2012, after a whopping 90 total issues. Readers who enjoyed the pointed satire, emotional storytelling and brutal action of the book have been clamoring for more ever since. Now they’re getting the proper article. What’s it like returning to this world in 2020?

Garth Ennis: Originally I never intended to do more with The Boys at all, but for obvious reasons I’ve found myself thinking about the story and characters again over the past couple of years. There was one aspect of the original story, and one character in particular, that I never felt got a fair shake…

That character being Becky Butcher, whose demise motivates her husband Billy to do the terrible things he does—but who only actually appears in two issues of the original book. I liked writing Becky very much, almost as much as Butcher himself, and I wanted to look in greater detail at how her relatively brief appearance cast such a long shadow.

DIAMOND: Of course, this series will be perfectly approachable for new readers and the countless new fans of The Boys. However, for those who have been on this whole journey with you, Darick, Russ and co. or have caught up recently, how does this new series tie to the previous one?

Garth Ennis: So, 12 years after the events of the series, Hughie and Annie have come back to his hometown in Scotland to get married—about time, Annie might say, and she’d be right (Hughie has gotten no more decisive in the intervening period). Then a mysterious package arrives, apparently out of the blue, containing documents that shed new light on The Boys’ long-deceased leader, Billy Butcher. This is very dangerous ground for Hughie, psychologically speaking—he’s been living with the fallout of the horrifically violent times he spent with Butcher ever since. But now he has no choice but to head down the rabbit hole, back to the days when Butcher, MM, Frenchie and the Female were part of his life.

Hughie is going to find things out about Butcher that he never knew before, things that might get him looking at his erstwhile boss- and his own life, come to that—in a rather different light. But he’ll have to figure out who it is that’s trying to drag him back into the world of The Boys in the first place- and why.

DIAMOND: With The Boys back in town, exploding in the mainstream, Preacher wrapping up a strong run on TV, and Punisher books on the stands and in the works, have people finally caught up with the Garth Ennis flavor?

Garth Ennis: Long may it continue, I suppose.

Starring Sonya Devereaux Volume 1

2

Published by American Mythology Productions

ISBN: 9781945205262
Price: $19.99
Genre: Horror
Ages: 16+

On Sale: December 01, 2020

Watch 4 movies in 1 book! Hollywood’s 306th best actress is scream queen Sonya Devereaux, whose career consists entirely of ultra-low budget, straight to DVD/VOD movies – they’re so good because they’re so bad!

Each story adapts and skewers every genre cliche that exists in a laugh out loud, riotous romp. Starring Sonya Devereaux Volume 1 collects the first four issues of the hit series: Naked Are the Damned 2, Vampire Academy 4, Debutante Desperado, & Spider-Shark vs Snake-Bear. Exclusive bonus features include Bloopers, Outtakes, and Introduction by legendary filmmaker Fred Olen Ray (“Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers” “Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold”)!

Key Selling Points

  • Introduction by filmmaker Fred Olen Ray

  • Selling to the Troma and Sharknado video viewer!

Oggy & the Cockroackes Volume 1

1

Published by American Mythology Productions

ISBN: 9781945205255
Price: $9.99
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Media Tie-In
Ages: 9+

On Sale: December 01, 2020

Oggy has been making kids laugh for over 20 years and is a staple in the YouTube viewers cartoon watching. These overthetop hijinks are guaranteed to crack you up!

Lazy cat Oggy enjoys living a simple life — eating and watching TV are among his favorite hobbies. Unfortunately, his roommates often get in the way of his laziness. Those roommates are tiny cockroaches Joey, Marky and Dee Dee, who like to cause mayhem like raiding Oggy’s fridge, making big messes and forcing the cat to clean up after them. Despite the trouble they cause, Oggy secretly misses the little critters when they’re not around.

This incredible fun introductory priced edition delivers six wacky stories Illustrated by Dean Rankine. These new comic tales deliver non-stop hilarity for Oggy fans worldwide!

Key Selling Points

  • This YouTube sensation has hundreds of millions of views and is one of the most popular YouTube cartoons around.

  • Now streaming on Netflix!

  • ALL NEW tales!

  • Includes 6 stories in 1 book!

Preview Pages

Waluk

Published by Magnetic Press

ISBN: 9781951719050
Price: $19.99
Genre: Historical
Ages: 9+

On Sale: March 16,  2021

Wáluk and Eskimo are two inseparable bears. Wáluk is very young and Eskimo is very old. Between the two they’ve found a way to survive in an extremely hostile environment, combining the agility of the younger with the experience of the older. When Eskimo decides they should go further north in search of better hunting, they set off on a great journey neither are truly prepared for…

A heartwarming, fun and funny adventure that spotlights the impact of global warming and mankind moving into wildlands, forcing nature to find new ground to thrive.

Key Selling Points

  • A charming middle grade title about friendship.
  • A tale about the harsh realities of global warming.
  • 11 x 8.5 landscape

Digital Assets

Waluk Bookmark

Preview Pages

LibraryCon Live: November 5

Diamond partners with Library Journal and School Library Journal for their fourth annual LibraryCon Live!

This free virutal event offers a day-long celebration of fandom-beloved stories and characters, featuring the creators behind mind-bending speculative fiction, innovative comics, and fan-favorite graphic novels.

Plus, network online with other fans and explore our virtual exhibit hall where you’ll hear directly from Diamond and our publishers about our newest books and engage in live chats with featured authors. Whether you’re a public or school librarian, an educator of teens and young adults, or a superfan of graphic novels and sf/fantasy, don’t miss this chance to meet and interact with some of your favorite stars across these genres!

We are anticipating an unprecedented number of library and education professionals to attend this event, so you may find the environment or live sessions become full during the day.

But fear not! All sessions and author chats will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of their initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand until January 5, 2021.

By registering for this event you confirm that you have read and agree to Library Journal & School Library Journal’s Code of Conduct.

During the event, you can look forward to a plethora of activities and freebies, including:

  • FREE downloadable digital review copies
  • FREE downloadable marketing materials (bookmarks, posters, etc.)
  • Exclusive creator chats
  • Featured lesson plans
  • Book trailers
  • and more!

We are excited to host PHILIP K. JOHNSON (KILL A MAN) and JUSTIN RICHARDS (FINGER GUNS) as our featured creators during LibraryCon Live! 

PHILIP K. JOHNSON is an Eisner-nominated writer and musician living in the Washington, DC/Baltimore region. His comics work has been published by DC, Marvel, BOOM! Studios, Archaia, IDW, Aftershock, and Scout Comics. He is the creator of comic series The Last God from DC Black Label, Last Sons of America, Warlords of Appalachia, Smoketown, and many more.

Johnson is a devoted lover of American art forms, especially jazz, comic books, and mixed martial arts. He will fight anyone who argues that MMA came from Brazil.

JUSTIN RICHARDS is the writer and co-creator of Finger Guns published by Vault Comics. He will also soon be releasing a self-published zine called A Silent Night, which casts a light on his thoughts and experiences with anxiety and depression in collaboration with many talented artists. He has many comic projects in the works, including some anthologies. He can be found in the recesses of Bend, Oregon playing video games with his family, scheming his next comic idea and taking many pictures of his dogs

AfterShock Comics Merges with Rive Gauche Media

As reported by Forbes, AfterShock Comics has merged with reality TV distributor Rive Gauche to form a new company, AfterShock Media. AfterShock Comics is an American comic book publisher launched in 2015. AfterShock is described as a “hybrid comic book company combining the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. This announcement is the latest in comics-media merger news as independent comic publishing houses expand their media capabilities into film, television, streaming, games, podcasting and other emerging channels.

AfterShock Comics is home to several best-selling comic series including Animosity, Dark Red, Babyteeth and A Walk Through Hell, plus new work such as We Live (by the Miranda Brothers) and Miles to Go (written by B. Clay Moore). 

Rive Gauche is best known for unscripted series such as Homicide Hunter, Something’s Killing Me, Very Scary People, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, Ice Cold Killer, My Strange Addiction, and My Crazy Obsession. Both companies are helmed by CEO Jon Kramer, who will assume CEO duties for the combined company.

“The significance of this strategic union cannot be understated because our ground-breaking, diverse comic IP will now have a team to support and drive its growth into TV, film, gaming and podcasts, fueled by the development, production and distribution of both scripted and unscripted content,” said Kramer. “Rive Gauche and I were looking for a way to reenter the scripted space because we saw an insatiable appetite with the proliferation of channels.”

“AfterShock Comics proved to be the perfect vehicle offering IP beyond capes and tights, instead spanning many different popular genres,” said Kramer. “Rive Gauche is committed to maintaining the caliber of unscripted programming it’s known for, by identifying and responding to industry trends and demands, while aiming to be just as quality-driven and relevant with scripted programming creation and distribution.”

Lee Kramer is set to head up the AfterShock Film & TV division as President of Film & TV for Rive Gauche while AfterShock Comics will continue to be led by Editor-in-Chief Mike Marts, CCO/Publisher Joe Pruett and President Lee Kramer.

For a full catalog of AfterShock Comics titles, click here.

Warner Bros. Picks Up ‘Black’ for Feature Adaptation

As reported by Deadline, Warner Bros. has acquired BLACK, the fan-favorite series from Black Mask comics created by Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith. 

The story centers on one young man who survives a violent event and realizes that he is part of an extraordinary set of people. However, a secret consortium wants to control their abilities, and he soon finds himself at the center of a war over the future of mankind itself. 

“Part of the inspiration for Black came from my experiencing the lack of representation in comics publishing and how that directly relates to the scarceness of black characters,” said Osajyefo told Deadline. “For most of comics’ history, white outcasts have been used as allegories for marginalized groups while claiming to reflect the world outside our window. BLACK strips away this veneer to juxtapose superpowers with race while allowing black people to see ourselves authentically in media and inviting wider audiences into parts of our experience. We’re excited to bring this story to everyone through film, and thankful to Studio 8 for believing in it.”

“We became involved in the development of this story over a year ago,” said Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov. “Black represents a new generation of storytellers and creators who can accurately tell black stories with the type of care the industry has lacked for decades. The thought-provoking concept caught our attention early on, and we’re proud to play a role in bringing this story to the screen.”

Bryan Edward Hill, who is a producer on DC’s Titans, has written the script. Jeff Robinov, Guy Danella, and John Graham will produce from Studio 8 with Black Mask Studio’s Matteo Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz to serve as producer and executive producer. Osajyefo and Smith are co-producers as well. The team is currently looking to attach a director.

For a preview of the book, see below. For more information on BLACK VOLUME 1, click here.