story MATT FRACTION
art / cover  HOWARD CHAYKIN
JULY 3
32 PAGES / BW / M
$3.50

SEX • DEATH • LIVE TV!

NEW YORK CITY, 1951: The star of beloved daily television serial “Satellite Sam” turns up dead in a flophouse filled with dirty secrets. The police think it was death by natural causes but his son knows there was something more… if only he could sober up long enoguh to do something about it. This noir mystery shot through with sex and violence exposes the seedy underbelly of the golden age of television.

By MATT FRACTION (CASANOVA, Hawkeye, FF) and HOWARD CHAYKIN (BLACK KISS I & II, AMERICAN FLAGG!).

GHOSTED #1

story JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art GORAN SUDZUKA & MIROSLAV MRVA
cover SEAN PHILLIPS
JULY 10
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

A HORROR/CRIME MASHUP THAT’S EQUAL PARTS OCEAN’S 11 AND THE SHINING.

Jackson T. Winters is one of the greatest criminal masterminds to ever live…except he’s rotting in jail after his last, doomed score. But when a filthy rich collector breaks him out, he’s tasked with putting together an elite team of paranormal experts to do the impossible: Steal a ghost from a haunted house of horrors!

SHELTERED #1

story ED BRISSON
art / cover  JOHNNIE CHRISTMAS
JULY 10
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

A PRE-APOCALYPTIC TALE OF SURVIVAL AT ANY COST.

The men and women of Safe Haven have been preparing for any-and-all end of world scenarios for years. However, their bunkers, weapons and training can’t save them from the one threat they never could have expected: Their own children.

CYBER FORCE #6

story MARC SILVESTRI
art MARCO TURINI & STJEPAN SEJIC
cover A MARC SILVESTRI
cover B STJEPAN SEJIC
cover C JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
JUL 17
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

KILLJOY RETURNS!

Velocity and Ripclaw have been left hurting since their last confrontation with CDI. To eradicate the rogue Cyber Force faction once and for all, an even more dangerous and uncontrollable threat has been activated.

DAWN: THE SWORDMASTER’S DAUGHTER & OTHER STORIES (one-shot)

story / art / cover JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER
JULY 10
32 PAGES/ FC / T+
$3.99

In his first new Dawn comic in three years, JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER brings to life three classic tales as only Dawn can. “THE SWORDMASTER’S DAUGHTER” shows a young Dawn inspiring Darrian to become a master swordsman. In “SAMSARA,” Dawn learns that Death is never late for an appointment. And in “THE WHITE PHOENIX,” Dawn shows Darrian if it is right to fight false friends by sharing with him a page from The Bhagavad Gita.

ELEPHANTMEN #50

story RICHARD STARKINGS
art AXEL MEDELLIN, GABRIEL BAUTISTA & MORITAT
cover FRANK QUITELY
flip cover LADRÖNN re-presenting the cover of ELEPHANTMEN #1
JULY 17th
64 PAGES / FC / $5.99

“BLUE COLLAR BLUES” 

The work of an Elephantman who died quietly after living a solitary life in a loft in downtown Los Angeles, paints a different picture of the lives of all the Elephantmen.

PLUS: A gallery of art and ELEPHANTMEN #1, re-presented in celebration of our 50th issue!

ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 6: EARTHLY DESIRES HC

story RICHARD STARKINGS, MONIFA ALDRIDGE & DAVID HINE
rat AXEL MEDELLIN, DAVE SIM, TONY PARKER, DAVID HINE, TULA LOTAY, SHAKY KANE, BOO COOK & IAN CHURCHILL
cover BOO COOK
JULY 10
312 PAGES / FC / M
$34.99

Collecting issues 40-49 of Image’s longest-running Piulp Science Fiction series, ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 6 is packed with extras, including the HIP FLASK/STRONTIUM DOG crossover by STARKINGS and BOO COOK, and the HIP FLASK/MARINEMAN crossover by STARKINGS and IAN CHURCHILL

39 MINUTES, VOL. 1 HC

story WILLIAM HARMS
art JERRY LANDO & LINDA SEJIC
cover RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
JUL 31
128 PAGES / FC / T+
$19.99

ROBBING A BANK IS EASY, IT’S THE GETAWAY THAT’S HARD

The bank is surrounded by police officers, alarms are blaring, customers and employees are screaming, and the streets are blocked off. So what’s the solution? Kill everyone in town!

AGE OF BRONZE, VOL. 3B: BETRAYAL, PART TWO TP & HC

story ERIC SHANOWER
art / cover  ERIC SHANOWER  
JULY 10
176 PAGES / BW / M
$18.99 TP
$28.99 HC

The Trojan plain fills with death as Achaean forces clash in blood with the Trojan army. In the city of Troy Pandarus pulls the strings to put Troilus in Cressida’s bed. But when Cressida is ripped away to the enemy camp, how far will Troilus fight to recover her?

Collects AGE OF BRONZE #27-33.

THE ACTIVITY, VOL. 3 TP

story NATHAN EDMONDSON
art / cover MITCH GERADS & MARC LAMING
JULY 17
160 PAGES / FC / T
$16.99

From Ft. Belvoir to Fallujah, Team Omaha follows leads from missions in all corners of the globe and uncovers a massive plot funded by one of the U.S.’s biggest global enemies.

Collects THE ACTIVITY  #12-16.

BLACK KISS II TP

story / art / cover  HOWARD CHAYKIN
JULY 3
128 PAGES / BW / M
$14.99

Nearly 25 years ago, HOWARD CHAYKIN brought the ‘80s to a close, and comics to the brink, with his landmark erotic thriller, BLACK KISS.  Now, after years of anticipation, he’s back with BLACK KISS II, telling the story behind that legendary story – like the original, in glorious black and white.

And really, now – does it have to be so dirty?

GLORY, VOL. 2: WAR TORN TP

story JOE KEATINGE
art ROSS CAMPBELL, ULISES FARINAS, OWEN GIENI, EMI LENOX, GREG HINKLE, JED DOUGHERTY, SLOANE LEONG & ROMAN MURADOV
JULY 10
144 PAGES / FC / M
$14.99

GLORY REACHES ITS SHOCKING CONCLUSION!

Featuring the introduction of Glory’s ultra-violence prone sister, Nanaja, the truth behind their parents’ hidden alliance and a very special guest appearance by Ernest Hemingway!

Collects GLORY #29-34.

INVINCIBLE, VOL. 18: THE DEATH OF EVERYONE TP

story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art RYAN OTTLEY, CLIFF RATHBURN & JOHN RAUCH
cover RYAN OTTLEY & JOHN RAUCH
JULY 31
160 PAGES / FC / T+
$16.99

Mark Grayson’s entire life as a superhero, all he’s learned, all he’s endured, it’s all been leading to this one moment. Will he become the hero he was meant to or will he choose… a DIFFERENT path?

Collects issues #97-102 of the greatest super hero comic in the universe.

KAFKA HC

story STEVEN T. SEAGLE
art / cover  STEFANO GAUDIANO & MARCO CINELLO
JULY 10
176 PAGES / FC / T+ 
$29.99

A MAN WITH NO PAST HAS SIX DAYS TO RECOVER HIS FUTURE.

Dan Hutton lost everything. Adrift in the witness relocation program, Dan is told his new identity has been compromised – by two different groups each claiming to be US agents. Not knowing who to trust, Dan runs – back to the world that took everything he loved.

KOMACON HC

story ANINA BENNETT, COLLEEN DORAN, JOE KEATINGE, BEN McCOOL, BEAU SMITH & RICK VEITCH
art JUN-HYUK CHOI, HA MI JANG, ROCK-HE KIM, CHAN-HYUK LEE, IN_HYUK LEE & JUNG-GUEN YOON
cover IN_HYUK LEE
JULY 10
88 PAGES / FC / M
$12.99

Six exceptional young artists from South Korea join forces with six outstanding veteran American writers to create a cross-cultural anthology of spectacular breadth.

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, VOL . 3 TP 

story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK PITARRA
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“BUILDING”

What if the research and development department created to produce the first atomic bomb was a front for a series of other, more unusual, programs?

The acclaimed FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE epic series now in one super educational package. It’s THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, VOLUME 3: BUILDING!

Collecting issues 11-15 of the world’s most irreverent alt history book. 

MASKS AND MOBSTERS, VOL. 1 HC

story JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art MIKE HENDERSON, RYAN CODY, JASON COPLAND & JUSTIN GREENWOOD
cover MIKE HENDERSON
JULY 3
128 PAGES/BW/M
$19.99

One of USA Today’s Best Digital Comics of 2012

When Mob enforcer Bobby Silver killed masked hero Doctor Daylight in cold blood, it sent shock waves through the Masked community. Now in the eyes of the heroes, the mob is their #1 enemy—and it’s war!

NOWHERE MEN, VOL. 1: FATES WORSE THAN DEATH

story ERIC STEPHENSON
art NATE BELLEGARDE & JORDIE BELLAIRE
cover NATE BELLEGARDE & FONOGRAFIKS
JULY 17
184 PAGES / FC / T+
$9.99

“SCIENCE IS THE NEW ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!”

So said Dade Ellis, Simon Grimshaw, Emerson Strange, and Thomas Walker at the dawn of a new age of enlightenment that ushered in a boom in scientific advancement.  As the research supergroup World Corp., they became the most celebrated scientists of all time.  They changed the world—and we loved them for it. But where did it all go wrong?  And when progress is made at any and all cost, who ultimately pays the price?

Collects NOWHERE MEN #1-6

REVIVAL, VOL. 2 TP: LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

story TIM SEELEY
art  MIKE NORTON & MARK ENGLERT
cover MIKE NORTON & JENNY FRISON
JULY 17
128 PAGES / FC / T+
$14.99

For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now the living and the recently returned struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy, amidst political and religious conflicts.

Collects REVIVAL #6-11.

SAVAGE DRAGON: ON TRIAL TP

Story / art / cover ERIK LARSEN
JULY 3
128 PAGES / FC / T
$16.99

Savage Dragon is on trial for crimes he committed when he had reverted to his Emperor Kurr persona. Now the world is witness to the shocking verdict.

Collets SAVAGE DRAGON #181-186.

SKULLKICKERS, VOL. 4: EIGHTY EYES ON AN EVIL ISLAND TP

story JIM ZUB
art EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATS
cover EDWIN HUANG & ESPEN GRUNDETJERN
JULY 10
160 PAGES / FC / T
$16.99

The fourth SKULLKICKERS adventure is madcap island mayhem with tropical terror, savage stupidity, beach brawls and jungle jams alongside surprising revelations about the SKULLKICKERS mythos.

Collects SKULLKICKERS #18-23 (including the five ‘unbooted’ issues Uncanny, Savage, Mighty, All-New Secret, and Dark Skullkickers Dark).

SAGA “LYING CAT” T-SHIRT

JULY 10
Men’s and women’s sizes
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXL

So you say you don’t want one of these snazzy Saga t-shirts featuring all-new art by FIONA STAPLES?

“Lying.”

THE WALKING DEAD LUNCH BOX

JULY 10
$14.99

The new lunch box from THE WALKING DEAD is ready to shamble its way into your lunchtime activities, with art by CHARLIE ADLARD.

THE WALKING DEAD “EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER” T-SHIRT

JULY 10
Men’s and women’s sizes
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXL

Ezekiel has a tiger. You have a t-shirt. Art by CHARLIE ADLARD.

’68 JUNGLE JIM #4 (of 4)

story MARK KIDWELL
art / cover JEFF ZORNOW & JAY FOTOS
variant cover NATE JONES & JAY FOTOS
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.99

MINISERIES CONCLUSION!

An armored engine of vengeance stalks the jungle trails, following a rogue band of Viet Cong guerillas and a pair of kidnapped children. Doomed to become brainwashed killing machines, a hero some call Jungle Jim is their only hope.

APHRODITE IX #3

story MATT HAWKINS
art STJEPAN SEJIC
cover A STJEPAN SEJIC
cover B DAVID FINCH
cover C ERIC BASALDUA
JULY 10
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Aphrodite IX was created for a purpose, but she does not know what it is.  Torn between two factions in a hostile, new world, she’s forced to choose sides in a war that she wants no part in.

BEDLAM #9

story NICK SPENCER
art RYAN BROWNE
cover FRAZER IRVING
JULY 17
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.50

“Hiding Something.”

BLACKACRE #8

story DUFFY BOUDREAU
art WENDELL CAVALCANTI & ANTONIO FABELA
cover BRIAN CHURILLA
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

On one side of the wall, harsh reality pushes an embattled visionary to the point of no return. On the other, strange fate presents an anguished victim with the perfect opportunity for revenge.

THE BOUNCE #3

story JOE CASEY
art / cover DAVID MESSINA
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

INTRODUCING: THE HORROR!

Good ol’ Jasper Jenkins has his hands full dealing with the newest threat in town (this freak lives up to his name!). Meanwhile, learn the hidden secrets tucked away inside a secret identity!

CHIN MUSIC #4

story STEVE NILES
art / cover  TONY HARRIS
JULY 17
22 PAGES / C / M
$2.99

Chicago has become ground zero for one of the oldest wars ever fought. Shaw’s supernatural stunt to bring Al Capone back from the dead takes a sudden and terrifying turn. Old enemies use the recently dead to flush the fallen mystic from hiding.

CLONE #9

story DAVID SCHULNER, AARON GINSBURG & WADE MCINTYRE
art / cover JUAN JOSE RYP & FELIX SERRANO
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Luke Taylor has a secret to share: WE’RE ALL CLONES.

THE DARKNESS #116

story DAVID HINE
art / cover JEREMY HAUN & JOHN RAUCH
JUL 24
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.99

SERIES FINALE!

As The Darkness virus becomes a citywide epidemic, the Old Gods run rampant. What will it take for Jackie Estacado to reclaim the Darkness from his nefarious Doppelganger?

A DISTANT SOIL #41

story / art / cover COLLEEN DORAN
JULY 24
32 PAGES / BW / T
$3.50

The Hierarchy is defeated. Now, the small team of human rebels and their allies face an even bigger foe: A factionalized resistance movement intent on seizing power.

THE DREAM MERCHANT #3

story NATHAN EDMONDSON
art / cover KONSTANTIN NOVOSADOV
JULY 10 
32 PAGES / FC / T
$3.50

With dreams come nightmares…but where do nightmares come from?

EAST OF WEST #5

story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK DRAGOTTA
JULY 31
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“THE LOST WORDS”

Hear the good word, hear the MESSAGE. In this issue of East of West we find out the contents of the apocrypha that predicts the end of the world. Or does it?

The most exciting new book of the year, EAST OF WEST continues in: “THE LOST WORDS.”

FATALE #16

story ED BRUBAKER
art  SEAN PHILLIPS & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER
cover SEAN PHILLIPS
JULY 3
32 PGS / FC / M
$3.50

Nicolas is on Josephine’s trail of secrets, and they lead him back to 1990s Seattle, where a rock band, a gang of bank robbers, and a wandering serial killer all circle around a mysterious woman with no memory…

And remember, each issue of FATALE contains extra content, artwork and articles that are only available in the printed single issues.

FIVE GHOSTS: THE HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #5 (of 5)

story FRANK J. BARBIERE
art / cover CHRIS MOONEYHAM
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

…THE END?

GREAT PACIFIC #8

story JOE HARRIS
art / cover  MARTÍN MORAZZO
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

“NATION BUILDING” Part Two
Who shot Chas Worthington? It’s not like he hasn’t pissed off his share of people who’d want him dead. But while outside powers threaten to hijack control of his fledgling trash nation, forces within the plastic province of New Texas conspire to tear it apart.

INVINCIBLE #105

story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art / cover RYAN OTTLEY & JOHN RAUCH
JULY 17
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

INVINCIBLE IS BACK!

It’s a new day dawning for everyone’s favorite superhero.  If you’ve ever wanted to jump onto INVINCIBLE without shelling out the money for 18 collected editions, this would be the perfect issue to start with.

INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #4

story PHIL HESTER
art/ cover TODD NAUCK & GABE ELTAEB
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

No one is better than Best Tiger.

IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #12

story JAMIE S. RICH
art CHYNNA CLUGSTON FLORES, MIKE NORTON, NATALIE NOURIGAT
cover MICHAEL & LAURA ALLRED
JULY 17
32 PAGES / FC / E
$2.99

“STOP AS YOU MEANT TO GO ON”–SERIES FINALE!

All the ATOMICS artists return for a triptych of international superspies, dopey costumed villains, and mummy attacks. Rights will be wronged, relationships repaired, and seriously, it’s going to be one heck of a party!

LAZARUS #2

story GREG RUCKA
art/cover MICHAEL LARK
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

“FAMILY,” Part Two

The Carlyle Family has been attacked by their enemies to the south, and Forever’s father suspects a conspiracy amongst his children. To root it out, he sends Forever into the arms of the enemy, Family Morray.

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #16

story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK PITARRA
JUNE 24
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“FINITE OPPENHEIMERS,” Part Two

An in-depth look at the second decade of the ongoing war inside Oppenheimer’s brain. It’s endless brothers versus brothers: It’s the Oppenheimer Civil War!

MICE TEMPLAR IV: LEGEND #4

story BRYAN J.L. GLASS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING
art VICTOR SANTOS
cover a MICHAEL AVON OEMING
cover b VICTOR SANTOS & CHANDRA FREE
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / T
$2.99

“TOSK’S TALE”

Karic confronts the full Pantheon of gods and discovers a shocking truth behind the prophecy, his destiny, the dark winter’s dream and his own growing legend.

MICE TEMPLAR IV: LEGEND #5

story BRYAN J.L. GLASS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING
art VICTOR SANTOS
cover a MICHAEL AVON OEMING
cover b VICTOR SANTOS & CHANDRA FREE
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / T
$2.99

“A LEGEND OF GODS”

Karic claims his destiny within Otherworld, but must face the wrath of the Parliament of gods, against whom no mortal can contend.

MIND THE GAP #13


story JIM McCANN
art RODIN ESQUEJO & DAN McDAID
cover A RODIN ESQUEJO
cover B DAN McDAID

JULY 17
32 PAGES / FC / T+ 

$2.99

“R.I. PETERSSEN,” Part One

The race to kill Elle begins here! Min and her lackeys wrestle to control the final fate of Elle, but there are others who may be one step ahead. The only thing that’s certain is that Elle must die. As Elle’s time as she knows it winds down, learn how it all began, with the flashbacks to the origin of Jairus! Is this the beginning of the end…or just the end of the beginning?

MINIATURE JESUS #4 (of 5)

story / art / cover TED McKEEVER
JULY 17
24 PAGES / BW / M
$3.99

GOLDEN-AGE FORMAT

With present day society being nothing more than a meandering landscape of bloated roadkill, leave it to our recovering alcoholic Chomsky and 8” Jesus to confront the facade of what stands for humanity’s cardboard excuse of a higher power.

MORNING GLORIES #29

story NICK SPENCER
art JOE EISMA
cover RODIN ESQUEJO
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.50

“A New Assignment.”

PETER PANZERFAUST #12

story KURTIS J. WIEBE
art / cover TYLER JENKINS
JULY 10
32 PAGES / FC / T 
$3.50

“CRY OF THE WOLF,” Part Two

An official meeting of top German officials in a nearby town spells trouble for operations in The Sticks. But, something much worse is about to arrive.

PROPHET #39

story BRANDON GRAHAM & SIMON ROY
art SIMON ROY & GIANNIA MILONOGIANNIS
cover HELEN MAIER
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / T+

$3.99

Die-Hard, a cyborg trying to regain his humanity, looks back over the thousands of years since his birth.

REVIVAL #12

story TIM SEELEY
art MIKE NORTON w/ ART BALTAZAR
cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG
JULY 17
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

The “Revival Event” as seen through the eyes of young Cooper Cypress.

SAVAGE DRAGON #190

story / art / cover ERIK LARSEN
JULY 24
32 PAGES / FC / MR
$3.99
LIMITED EDITION DIGEST VERSION
64 PAGES / FC / MR
$3.99

The countdown to the biggest and most significant change for SAVAGE DRAGON continues as Dragon faces Mako in jail for their most brutal battle ever!

SEX #5

story JOE CASEY
art / cover PIOTR KOWALSKI
JULY 31
32 PAGES/FC/M
$2.99

Simon Cooke’s night out has disastrous consequences! And not just socially. But, hey, at least he’s trying! Meanwhile, life in Saturn City’s criminal underworld rolls on… just not as smoothly as expected. Never forget: SEX is real! SEX is now! But, most importantly, SEX has infected your local comic book store!

SPAWN #233

story TODD MCFARLANE
art SZYMON KUDRANSKI
cover TODD MCFARLANE
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

“COMPLEX MESSIAH,” Part Five

Jim is at odds with his powers as he and the K7-Leetha fight for control. Can Jim harness the dark powers within? Or will the suit overwhelm his human soul, making him a true Hellspawn?

SUPER DINOSAUR #22

story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art JASON HOWARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
cover JASON HOWARD
JULY 31
32 PAGES / FC / E
$2.99

The Dino-Men attack!  United by Tyrannosaurus-X, the creations of Max Maximus are brought together for a single purpose: the destruction of the Dynamo family and Super Dinosaur!

TEN GRAND #3

story J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
art / cover BEN TEMPLESMITH
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

Joe Fitzgerald’s client is dead. The young woman he went searching for on her behalf is dead. And he’s not happy about it. Worse still, someone’s shaking the foundations of Heaven, in a move putting the spirit of his beloved Laura in jeopardy. Someone’s going to pay for it…even if that means walking into Hell itself.

THIEF OF THIEVES # 16

story ANDY DIGGLE & ROBERT KIRKMAN
art / cover SHAWN MARTINBROUGH & FELIX SERRANO
JULY 31
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

A sit down with the Godfather…

THE WALKING DEAD #112

story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
JULY 10
32 PAGES / BW / M
$2.99

Carl and Andrea are faced with the unthinkable.

WITCHBLADE #168

story TIM SEELEY
art DIEGO BERNARD
cover A JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
cover B DIEGO BERNARD
JULY 3
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

“ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION,” Part Two

After failing to capture the murderous criminal Toio Mulranny, Sara is forced to ask who is the greater threat: Toio or former Witchblade bearer Katarina Godliffe?

I have a thing, apparently, for hitting the “9” instead of the “0” on my phone. I’m very consistent about this. My 8:30 becomes 8:39; my 304 area code morphs into 394; my $20 gains in value to $29.

So I started thinking: I’m obviously trying to give myself extra minutes every half hour. What if I actually had those nine extra minutes? Thirty-nine minutes instead of 30? What could I do with that scant amount of time, those extra 60-second blips? I came up with a few good ideas: nine, to be exact. I’m certain there are many more:

• Gratitude. I could spend one of those minutes contemplating gratitude. What am I grateful for? What, over the past 24 hours, positively impacted my life, my attitude, my world? A minute’s not too much time to spend in gratitude; truth be told, it’s probably not nearly long enough.

• Greetings. Surely I could spare 60 seconds to speak to a fellow rider on the elevator or a coworker sitting two cubicles away. Who knows? I might discover I have something in common with them – or make a new friend, share a laugh, help someone’s day start out or progress a bit more brightly. I may find myself one day working alongside them on a project, or enter a training room with them.  Shared experiences and common ground make transitions and new situations so much easier.

I have seven minutes left.

• Affection. I may be in a hurry to make it to work, but spending a minute rubbing my dogs’ heads and scratching their ears leaves them with wagging tails and me in a better mood. We recently had to put down my oldest dog, Dennis the Menace, who had gotten to the point he probably didn’t really notice head pats anyway. But as the giver of pats, I know those moments mean something to me. Sixty seconds are nothing compared to the years of affection given in return.

• Affirmation. Giving to others? Easy. Giving back to myself? Not so much. Maybe spending a minute looking in the mirror and thinking about how nice my hair looks, or how happy I feel, or how proud I am, or how competent I am being is in order. You can’t truly build up others if you’re constantly tearing yourself down.

• Service. It shouldn’t take much more than 60 seconds to help a coworker tote her supplies to her desk, or to sort the mail for a busy administrative assistant who’s covering the office phones. When I take the time to help out by doing something that’s not in my job description, it reminds me that we’re all in this together and no single job is any more important than any other. That’s a fine life lesson to keep in mind.

Five down. That leaves four more minutes.

• Quality Time. I believe I could easily spend a minute here and there helping someone resolve an issue or find an answer. What I think that means is offering my undivided attention and not multi-tasking, which never works out well for anyone. (I give a half-assed answer and they leave with the feeling they aren’t worth my time.) As nothing could be further from the truth, why shouldn’t I act the way I truly believe?

• Compliment. Honestly, sometimes it can be so hard to give voice to a true compliment and send it forth into the world. I acknowledge that, when I’m feeling marginal about myself, it’s tough to compliment others even when it’s truly deserved. Sometimes it makes me feel worse about myself, and I’m no fan of that. But I have noticed that the more I freely and honestly compliment others, the happier I am about myself and the less weight my “failings” actually carry. So I think spending a minute on sincere, deserved compliments whenever I have the opportunity is worth the effort.

• Breathe. Sure, it’s involuntary, but that doesn’t mean it’s relaxing. So spending a good 60 seconds being very conscious about breathing in and breathing out – centering myself, in other words – goes a long way toward facing the day from a calm, peaceful center. Alloting a minute every half hour is a priceless gift.

• Humor. Oh, if I actually had those 9 minutes, I would pack a full 60 seconds worth of laughter into them. With laughter, cares shrink down, endorphins plump up, and life gets a boost. They say laughter is the best medicine, and I buy that. No day is so terrible that a good, hearty laughing fit won’t make the dark clouds lift and maybe even dissipate. Looking for the absurd – for the humor – in everyday life is worth pursuing 24/7. But if one minute every half hour is all I have, then I’ll grab those seconds and celebrate the funny side of life whenever and however I can.

How much richer my days would become just by adding those nine minutes! So much richer that I believe it’s important to simply  eke out nine minutes every half hour, even if it means freeing up those nine existing minutes by short-changing other less important things.

So, if you had nine extra minutes for every half hour, how would you spend them? And if you come up with nine good options, would you consider carving time from the existing 30 minutes you already are given?

39 MINUTES WINS TOP COW’S PILOT SEASON 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif., December 10, 2010 – As announced on MTV Geek, Top Cow Productions, Inc. is proud to announce that the winners of Pilot Season 2010 is William Harms and Jerry Lando’s 39 MINUTES.

39 MINUTES beat out ASSET by Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik and David Marquez, CROSSHAIR by Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri, Jeff Katz and Allan Jefferson, FOREVER by Brad Ingelsby and Thomas Nachlik and 7 DAYS FROM HELL by Bryan Edward Hill, Rob Levin and Phil Noto.

39 MINUTES turns a heist story on its head when a group of ex-soldiers turned bank robbers’ decide to hit up small towns leaving a path of destruction by killing everyone who gets in their way.  As the clock’s ticking, the only man who can stop them just happens to be in prison and refuses to help.

“All of the books in this year’s competition are really good,” said Harms.  “I’m excited and humbled that 39 MINUTES came out on top.”

Fans rushed to the web, even crashing the first poll, to vote for their favorite 2010 Pilot Season one-shots.  Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007 that borrows its concept from the television industry: five ‘pilots’ are submitted for consideration to be ‘picked up for a season,’ except instead of TV executives decided their fates, it’s the fans!

Now that 39 MINUTES has been declared the winner, the creative team will work with Top Cow’s editorial department to start planning out their series, which will debut in 2011.

Previous winners of Pilot Season include: CYBLADE, VELOCITY, TWILIGHT GUARDIAN and GENIUS.  VELOCITY can currently be found at your local comic book shop shelves, TWILIGHT GUARDIAN (NOV100495) is available for pre-order and, along with GENIUS, will be debuting in 2011.

VOTING TIDAL WAVE CRASHES PILOT SEASON 2010 POLL

VOTING PERIOD, FREE ISSUES EXTENDED

LOS ANGELES, Calif., November 29, 2010 – Readers want to be heard!  Over the weekend, the Top Cow Pilot Season 2010 poll saw a surge in votes causing the service provider to shut down the poll days ahead of its close.  As a result, the publisher is extending the deadline to vote and the period to read all Pilot Season 2010 titles for free digitally to Monday, December 8 at Midnight PST.

“After reading this year’s line-up of Pilot Season contestants,” says Atom! Freeman, Top Cow’s Director of Sales and Marketing.  “Who’s surprised that they broke the Internet?”

Under a different provider, the new poll station is now set up at the Top Cow site (www.topcow.com).  Readers can vote multiple times a day up until the poll closes on December 8.  The title that receives the highest TOTAL vote of both polls will be developed as a series and added to the Top Cow production calendar.

39 Minutes, Asset, Crosshair, Forever and 7 Days From Hell will continue to be available for free through many of Top Cow’s digital distribution partners including Comixology, WOWIO, MyDigitalComics.com, DriveThruComics.com, as well as through select comic book and pop culture news sites.

Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007 that borrows its concept from the television industry: “Pilots” are submitted for consideration to be “picked up for a season,” except instead of TV executives deciding their fates; it’s the fans who decide by voting online.

Previous winners of Pilot Season include: Cyblade, Velocity, Twilight Guardian, and Genius.  Velocity can currently be found at your local comic book shop shelves, Twilight Guardian is available for pre-order and, along with Genius, will be debuting in 2011.

For more information on Pilot Season and to vote, go to www.topcow.com.

We love Top Cow’s Pilot Season voting and a couple of the comic creators have taken to Youtube to plead their case as to why they should get your vote.

Up first is William Harms the creator of 39 Minutes (which got my vote).

You can vote at the Top Cow website.

READ PILOT SEASON 2010 FOR FREE AND VOTE

WRITERS MAKE APPEAL AT SMODCASTLE’S BAGGED & BOARDED LIVE!

LOS ANGELES, Calif., November 15, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. wants your votes for Pilot Season 2010, and to ensure fans can be educated voters, they are offering readers the opportunity to read all the contenders for this year’s Pilot Season for free.  In addition, the publisher invites fans to join them at this week’s Bagged and Boarded LIVE! at the SModCastle in Los Angeles to hear their pleas.

Up until the end of the voting period on November 30, 2010, 39 Minutes, Asset, Crosshair, Forever, and 7 Days From Hell will be available for free through many of Top Cow’s digital distribution partners including Wowio, MyDigitalComics.com, DriveThruComics.com, with more to come, as well as through select comic book and pop culture news sites like Comic Book Resources and Newsarama.

To further make their case, Asset writer and Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik, Crosshair writer Jeff Katz, Forever creator and Top Cow President Matt Hawkins and 7 Days From Hell writer Rob Levin will join Bagged and Boarded’s Matt Cohen and Brendan Creecy at the SModCastle (6468 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA).  Tickets to the show are available for purchase here: http://smodcastle.com/tickets.html.  If fans are unable to attend the live show, the show will be available online shortly after its recording, or fans can head to the Top Cow YouTube page for video pleas from the creators themselves.

Polling stations are now set up at the Top Cow site (www.topcow.com) with additional polling stations to appear on various comics news sites, blogs and social media platforms.  Readers can vote multiple times a day up until the polls close on November 30, 2010.

Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007 that borrows its concept from the television industry: “Pilots” are submitted for consideration to be “picked up for a season,” except instead of TV executives deciding their fates; it’s the fans who decide by voting online.

Previous winners of Pilot Season include: Cyblade, Velocity, Twilight Guardian, and Genius.  Velocity can currently be found at your local comic book shop shelves, with Twilight Guardian and Genius debuting in 2011.

For more information on Pilot Season and to vote, go to www.topcow.com.

WE CREATE, YOU DECIDE

POLLS OPEN FOR TOP COW’S PILOT SEASON 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif., November 3, 2010 – Just because November 2 has passed doesn’t mean your vote have to stop voting.  Top Cow Productions, Inc. is proud to announce that the voting polls for Pilot Season 2010 are now open, allowing readers to vote for their favorite title out of the five one-shots that were put out at this past month.

Polling stations are now set up at the Top Cow site (www.topcow.com) with additional polling stations to appear on various comics news sites, blogs and social media platforms.  Readers can vote multiple times a day up until the polls close on November 30, 2010.

Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007 that borrows its concept from the television industry: “Pilots” are submitted for consideration to be “picked up for a season,” except instead of TV executives deciding their fates; it’s the fans who decide by voting online.

Below are the titles in contention this year along with a campaign plea from each book’s writer(s):

39 MINUTES by William Harms

“By voting for 39 MINUTES, you’ll give a voice to all of the poor downtrodden bank robbers of the world.  If you don’t speak for them, who will?”

ASSET by Filip Sablik

“ASSET is about the dangerous side of love in the digital age.  You meet that perfect person online thanks to next generation personality profiling and everything is hearts and flowers.  Only they aren’t your perfect match, they’re an enemy spy and they’re going to get you killed.  Vote for me, David Marquez and Bill Farmer if you’ve ever been punched in the jeans by love.”

FOREVER by Brad Ingelsby

“I think we’ve created a world and a central mystery that people will want to return to. The history of Longevity and its miracle drug Forever is inextricably linked to Ryan’s personal history which should make for a thrilling journey, full of surprises.”

CROSSHAIR by Jeff Katz

“CROSSHAIR should win because it’s classic action hero style wish fulfillment with a paranoid psychological thriller twist. Justin Weller is a true man of action who protects his family and his honor at all costs and is the type of hero our ever more dangerous world needs right now.”

7 DAYS FROM HELL by Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin

“Phil Noto. ‘Nuff said.”

Previews for each book are available at www.topcow.com.

It’s the first entry for Top Cow‘s Pilot Season 2010.  Written by William Harms and Jerry Lando, 39 Minutes is a story revolving around a team of Marines now robbing banks, but with a political bent.  This is Heat, but with a message.

Robbing a bank is easy — it’s the getaway that’s hard. The bank’s surrounded by police officers, alarms are blaring, customers and employees are screaming, and the streets are blocked off. So what’s the solution?

Kill everyone in town.

Created and written by William Harms (Impaler) and debuting up-and-coming artist Jerry Lando along with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), 39 Minutes turns the heist story on its head.

So, first off Pilot Season is a brilliant idea by Top Cow that produces a few first issues, allowing the public to vote on which one they enjoyed the most, then producing a mini-series for the winner.  So, did this comic make me want to vote for it?  The answer is a resounding hell yes.

The story is great, one hell of a set up, with some great art too.  There’s a very cool bank robbery story but what’s awesome is the series also has a subtler message.  The robbers are all veterans of the Iraq war who’ve been ashamed due to a run in with private contractors.  The series while it could simply be a cops and robbers story also explores duty, country and honor.  Just fantastic.

Now, we’re not going to tell you how to vote, because we need to see the other entries, but this is a hell of a start.  But, Top Cow, if this doesn’t win, can we please see the completed story at some point?  Pretty please?  I’ll be your best friend, pinky swear.

And for you folks debating if you should buy this?  The answer is yes, no thought needed, just do it.

Plot: Harms, weaves a fantastic story.  As we said above, this could simply be a cops and robbers story, but it’s not, it’s relevant.  There’s the focus on honor and duty as well as how soldiers adjust to when they return, very relevant topics.  Take these weighty subjects and add in an entertaining story and you have a winner.  Rating: 9.5

Art: The art by Lando is top notch.  It’s great to look at with some fantastic action scenes.  I’d love to see how he would of grown over a mini-series.  Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see it.  Rating: 8.25

Overall: The comic is great.  It’s entertaining, relevant, it should be a movie…. now can we get a mini-series out of it no matter what?  The only downside to this comic is we’re not guaranteed to see how it ends and where it goes.  But even so, it’s well worth the read.  Rating: 9.25

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 32 pages    Price: $3.99     Release: Wednesday 9/22/2010

Top Cow provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

TOP COW PILOT SEASON 2010 SIGNING TOUR

LOS ANGELES, Calif., September 16, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that first title off of the 2010 Pilot Season slate will arrive in stores next week on September 22^nd, 2010.  Pilot Season 2010 debuts a new format consisting of five new concepts and five different creative teams released in a span of five weeks.  In support of Pilot Season 2010, stateside creators will be embarking on a signing tour coinciding with their pilot’s release.

”Pilot Season is an ideal event for us to schedule signing events around because of the wide variety of talent we have participating each year,” explained Publisher Filip Sablik. “This year is no different with established talent like Marc Silvestri, Jeff Katz, and Phil Noto along side exciting up-and-comers like Jerry Lando, David Marquez, and the dynamic duo of Hill and Levin. We’re all getting out on the campaign trail to win the hearts and minds of our voting public!”

Pilot Season: 39 Minutes’ William Harms and Jerry Lando will kick off the launch of Pilot Season 2010 next week in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, respectively.

Book Signing Dates

Pilot Season: 39 Minutes

·       William Harms: Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, September 22, http://www.comicoasis.com

·       Jerry Lando:  Atomic City Comics, Philadelphia, September 25, 2-5pm, http://www.bestphillycomics.com

Pilot Season: Asset

·       Filip Sablik: Earth 2 Comics, Los Angeles, September 29, http://www.earth2comics.com

·       Jenny Frison: Challengers 2.0, Chicago, September 29, 5-7pm, http://www.challengerscomics.com

·       David Marquez: Austin Books and Comics, Austin, TX, October 13, http://www.austinbooks.com

Pilot Season: Crosshair

·       Jeff Katz: Brave New World, Los Angeles, October 16, http://www.bravenewworldcomics.com

Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell

·       Bryan Edward Hill:  Starclipper Comics, St. Louis, October 23, http://starclipper.com

·       Rob Levin: The Comic Bug, Long Beach, October 23, 4 PM – 8 PM, http://thecomicbug.com

·       Phil Noto:  ACME Comics, October 23, http://www.acmecomics.com (tentative)

For more information on Pilot Season and upcoming signing events, go to www.topcow.com.

Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1

(w) William Harms  (a) Jerry Lando  (cov) Rafael Albuquerque

Pilot Season Begins Anew as a 5-Week Event in 2010!

Robbing a bank is easy — it’s the getaway that’s hard. The bank’s surrounded by police officers, alarms are blaring, customers and employees are screaming, and the streets are blocked off. So what’s the solution?

Kill everyone in town.

Created and written by William Harms (Impaler) and debuting up-and-coming artist Jerry Lando along with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), 39 Minutes turns the heist story on its head.

32 Pages  Full Color  Pilot Issue  $3.99

TOP COW DEBUTS NEW ‘PILOT SEASON’ CONCEPTS AND FORMAT

LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 9, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that Pilot Season 2010 will debut next month with six new concepts and six different creative teams, and will adopt a 6-week event format.  The 32-page preview book, Pilot Season 2010: Declassified, first made available at this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego, will be available in stores later this month.

Since 2007, Top Cow has given fans the power to choose the next two Top Cow series based on a selection of one-shot Pilot Season “pilot” issues through online voting.  The inaugural Pilot Season initiative garnered more than four million votes from fans across the globe.

”Pilot Season started as an experiment, but has evolved into a highly anticipated yearly event,” commented Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, “This year we’re amping up the intensity based on fan and retailer feedback by releasing all 6 projects in a weekly format. With a wide variety of creators, genres, and styles represented, I’m confident there’s something for everyone in this 2010’s contestants!”

The six new concepts include:

Pilot Season: Forever #1 – Created by Matt Hawkins and written by screenwriter Brad Ingelsby with art by Thomas Nachlik with a cover by Bagus Hutomo of IFS, Pilot Season: Forever #1 focuses on a pharmaceutical company, Longevity™, and their development of a drug that extends human life and counters the debilitating effects of aging almost indefinitely.

Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1 – Created and written by William Harms and debuting art from Jerry Lando with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1 turns a heist story on its head when a bank robber’s only solution to getaway from a surrounded bank full of customers and employees is to kill everyone in their way.

Pilot Season: Crosshair #1 – Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and co-writer Jeff Katz with art by Allan Jefferson, Pilot Season: Crosshair #1 centers on former assassin for the CIA, Justin Weller, who just settled into the life of a loving husband and devoted father in the suburbs, coping with the discovery that he has been brainwashed to kill the President of the United States.

Pilot Season: The Asset #1 – Created and written by Filip Sablk and debuting art from David Marquez with a cover by Jenny Frison, Pilot Season: The Asset #1 redefines the femme fatale for the digital age. Madeline is the woman of Doug’s dreams; the same woman who’s trying to get Doug killed.

Pilot Season: 7 Days from Hell #1 – Created and co-written by the team behind Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box, Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin, with jaw dropping art from industry legend Brian Stelfreeze, Pilot Season: 7 Days from Hell #1 finds ex-pat turned mercenary John Bishop mortally wounded, but spared from Hell by a renegade demon seeking redemption.

Pilot Season: Midway Earth #1 – Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and Rick Loverd with art from Stjepan Sejic, Pilot Season: Midway Earth #1 sees our home planet as the strategic prize in a brutal war between two alien races.

TOP COW ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010

Pilot Season 2010:

Pilot Season 2010 will begin anew as a 6-week event debut in the fall. The 6-week schedule is a new element to this year’s Pilot Season competition. Additionally, the promotion will return to include 6 different creative teams after 2009’s event where all the properties were co-created by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. Top Cow will be debuting the contestants for the 2010 competition at Comic-International with a Pilot Season 2010 Declassified preview book.

Created by Matt Hawkins and written by screenwriter Brad Ingelsby with art by Thomas Nachlik with a cover by Bagus Hutomo of IFS, Pilot Season: Forever #1 focuses on a pharmaceutical company, Longevity, and their development of a drug that extends human life and counters the debilitating effects of aging almost indefinitely.

Created and written by William Harms and debuting art from Jerry Landon with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1 turns a heist story on its head when a bank robber’s only solution to getaway from a surrounded bank full of customers and employees is to kill everyone in town.

Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and co-writer Jeff Katz with art by Allan Jefferson, Pilot Season: Crosshair #1 centers on former assassin for the CIA, Justin Weller, who just settled into the life of a loving husband and devoted father in the suburbs, coping with the discovery that he has been brainwashed to kill the President of the United States.

Created and written by Filip Sablk and debuting art from David Marquez with a cover by Jenny Frison, Pilot Season: The Asset #1 redefines the femme fatale for the digital age when you’re matched with the woman of your dreams; the same woman who’s trying to get you killed.

Created and co-written by the team behind Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box, Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin, with jaw dropping art from industry legend Brian Stelfreeze, Pilot Season: 7 Days from Hell #1 finds ex-pat turned mercenary John Bishop mortally wounded, but spared from Hell by a renegade demon seeking redemption.

Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and David Wohl with art from Stjepan Sejic, Pilot Season: Midway Earth #1 sees our home planet as the strategic prize in a brutal war between two alien races.

Top Cow Bible Addendum:

Hot on the heels of the Top Cow Bible, which debuted at Comic-Con International 2009, Top Cow will debut the Top Cow Bible Addendum #1 at Comic-Con International 2010. The 32 page, prestige format comic will feature over 25 brand-new properties spotlighted and introduced to the world for the first time. This collection will include upcoming contestants in Pilot Season 2010 as well as new properties debuting as series from Top Cow and Minotaur Press in 2010 and 2011. Each property will include a summary and brand new key art and showcase Top Cow’s motto of “We Create…” Additionally, the back of the Top Cow Bible Addendum #1 will contain several pages of “In Development” properties, which will tease upcoming projects.

Pitt Comics and Reprints:

Top Cow proudly announces that it has acquired the rights to Pitt, the seminal character created by legendary artist Dale Keown. Keown has long considered himself part of the Top Cow family and this deal solidifies his ongoing relationship and commitment to the Cow. As part if this, Top Cow will collect previously published Pitt comics in trade paperbacks (which have never been collected before) as well as produce new Pitt comics and merchandise. Future Pitt comics will feature covers by Keown and be co-written and art directed by the creator.

Minotaur Press Revival:

Top Cow proudly announces the return of the Minotaur Press imprint to their line. The imprint is best known for releasing such series as Obergeist by Tony Harris and Dan Jolley and Felon by Greg Rucka. The return of the imprint is part of Top Cow’s efforts to create three distinct, clear lines of comics. These lines will include Top Cow Universe, which encompasses series such as Witchblade The Darkness, and Artifacts, that take place in the shared Top Cow Universe; Top Cow Productions, which will include stand alone color series such as Mysterious Ways, Sunset, and Rest; and lastly, Minotaur Press, which will act a home for more independent styled series. The first series to launch under the revived Minotaur Press will be Echoes created and written by Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Alibi) with toned art by Rahsan Ekedal. The series follows a man, who discovers his dead father may have been a serial killer and when new bodies begin to surface he’s left to wonder if he has inherited his father’s tendencies. The second series planned for release under the Minotaur Press line is Last Mortal. Last Mortal is co-created and written by Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik (Pilot Season: Asset) and newcomer John Mahoney and co-created and drawn by Thomas Nachlik (Pilot Season: Forever). That series tells the story of a small time criminal who discovers after trying to kill himself that he is immortal.

Mysterious Ways:

Video game industry legend Jason Rubin makes his triumphant return to comics with a brand new series entitled Mysterious Ways. Best known for creating Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, Rubin made his initial splash in comics with The Iron Saint (originally published under the title Iron and the Maiden). The Iron Saint makes its collected trade debut at Comic-Con International along with a special sneak peek of Mysterious Ways #1 as part of the Top Cow First Look trade paperback. Mysterious Ways features art by Green Lantern Corps artist Tyler Kirkham, inker Sal Regla, and colorist Arif Prianto of IFS. The series follows the story of washed up ex-cop Sam, who has slid into a pit of despair and drinking his life away after killing his corrupt partner. When a serial killer begins killing innocent women around town, the police suspect Sam. As Sam races to clear his name he discovers that the Lord works in very Mysterious Ways indeed. Mysterious Ways is slated for release in late 2010/early 2011.

Rest:

Top Cow Productions and DiVide Pictures are proud to announce the return of fan favorite property Rest. Originally published by Devil’s Due Publishing, Rest chronicles the adventures of John, a man who becomes one of the first human test subjects for a drug, which removes the need for sleep. Imagine what you could do if you had an extra eight hours every day and always felt awake and refreshed. The dream soon becomes a nightmare as John discovers that he may not be the first subject and the drug may have unforeseen side effects. Three issues of Rest, issues #0, #1, and #2, have been released previously. Top Cow and DiVide will be utilizing a unique publishing plan to relaunch Rest. Issues #3-5, which complete the series, will be released exclusively digitally in single-issue form, along with making issues #0-2 available digitally. The issues will be released leading up to the release of the trade paperback in October at New York Comic-Con. More details will be forthcoming on specifics for the digital release plan.

TOP COW ITEMS SHIPPING IN SEPTEMBER 2010

Pilot Season: Forever #1

(W) Brad Ingelsby (A) Thomas Nachlik      (Cov) Bagus Hutomo

Pilot Season Begins Anew as a 6-Week Event in 2010!

In the not-so-distant future, a pharmaceutical company called Longevity™ has developed a drug which extends human life and counters the debilitating effects of aging almost indefinitely. When a young doctor, who owes his very life to Longevity™, gets his dream job at the company; he soon learns that immortality comes at an unthinkable price.

Created by Top Cow President Matt Hawkins (Lady Pendragon, Pilot Season: Alibi) and written by screenwriter Brad Ingelsby (The Honeyfields) with art by Thomas Nachlik (The Flying Friar), Forever follows in the footsteps of science fiction like the stories of William Gibson and Philip K. Dick.

Full Color 32 pages $3.99  pilot issue

Expected Ship Date – September 22^nd, 2010

Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1

(W) William Harms (A) Jerry Lando      (Cov) Rafael Albuquerque

Pilot Season Begins Anew as a 6-Week Event in 2010!

Robbing a bank is easy — it’s the getaway that’s hard. The bank’s surrounded by police officers, alarms are blaring, customers and employees are screaming, and the streets are blocked off. So what’s the solution?

Kill everyone in town.

Created and written by William Harms (Impaler) and debuting up-and-coming artist Jerry Lando along with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), 39 Minutes turns the heist story on its head.

Full Color 32 pages $3.99  pilot issue

Expected Ship Date – September 29^th, 2010

Artifacts #3 (of 13)

(W) Ron Marz (A) Michael Broussard      (Cov) Kalman Andrasofszky, John Tyler Christopher

Top Cow’s biggest event gets even bigger!

While Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and Darkness host Jackie Estacado form an uneasy alliance to search for their missing daughter, more of the all-powerful Artifacts are brought into play as Magdalena, Tom Judge and the Angelus join forces. But unbeknownst to any of them, the unseen villain is manipulating people and events to bring about the end of the world.

From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and Top Cow superstar artist Michael Broussard (The Darkness) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by superstar artist Kalman Andrasofszky (Dazzler, R.E.B.E.L.S.) as well as a variant cover series featuring Tom Judge by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).

Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.

Cover A – Kalman Andrasofszky

Cover B – John Tyler Christopher

Retailer Incentive Covers also available (see order form for details)

Full Color 32 pages $3.99  limited series

Expected Ship Date – September 15^th, 2010

Velocity #1 Baltimore Comicon Broussard Variant Cover

(W) Ron Marz (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Michael Broussard

Get this beautiful convention variant cover by Artifacts artist Michael Broussard, previously available exclusively at Baltimore Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.

Full Color            32 pages            $10.00            Convention Exclusive

The Darkness: Four Horsemen #2 (of 4)

(W) David Hine (A) Jeff Wamester (Cov) Jeff Wamester

The Darkest Tale of The Darkness Yet!

Jackie Estacado has arrived in the California desert town of Ginsberg, where Hell has come to Earth. The Demon Riders have brought out the worst in the townspeople and Ginsberg burns. Jackie believes he has faced monsters before, but nothing like this.

From David Hine (Batman: Arkham Asylum) and up-and-coming artist Jeff Wamester (RAZE).

Full Color 32 pages $3.99  limited series

Expected Ship Date – September 1^st, 2010

The Darkness #88

(W) Phil Hester (A) Sheldon Mitchell (Cov) Matt Timson

”Regicide”

Enraged by the betrayal in the last issue from within his inner circle, Jackie Estacado moves to end his conflict with The Sovereign once and for all, and close the book on this chapter of his cursed life. Meanwhile, the Judas in Jackie’s crew learns just how much Estacado despises snakes in his midst.

Full Color 32 pages $2.99  ongoing series

Expected Ship Date – September 22^nd, 2010

Witchblade #141
(W) Ron Marz                  (A) Stjepan Sejic                  (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

Tiamat, Part 2 of 4!

As the events of Artifacts push the world toward Armageddon, another threat appears in the form of Babylonian goddess Tiamat, who seeks vengeance upon current Witchblade bearer, Sara Pezzini, to settle an ancient score. Can Sara possibly stave off two world-threatening events at once?

Full Color             32 pages             $2.99              ongoing series
Expected Ship Date – September 8^th, 2010

Witchblade #136 Washington DC Comicon JG Jones Sketch Variant Cover

(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) JG Jones

Get this extremely limited edition sketch variant cover by master artist JG Jones (Wanted, Final Crisis), previously available exclusively at the Washington DC Comicon. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.

Full Color            32 pages            $20.00            Convention Exclusive

Pilot Season 2009 Trade Paperback

(W) Robert Kirkman (A) Nelson Blake II, Joe Benitez, Sheldon Mitchell, Bernard Chang, & Brian Stelfreeze (Cov) Marc Silvestri

Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri Unleash 5 New Concepts!

Image Partners and superstar creators Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Marc Silvestri (The Darkness) collaborate for the first time by creating five new properties for 2009’s Pilot Season event! The powerhouse team paired with a who’s who list of interior artists, including Nelson Blake II, Joe Benitez, Sheldon Mitchell, Bernard Chang, and Brian Stelfreeze.

This volume collects all five concepts including Murderer, Demonic, Stealth, Stellar and Hardcore along with a cover gallery, behind the scenes sketches, designs, and more!

Full Color 144 pages $14.99  trade paperback

Expected Ship Date – September 22^nd, 2010

First Born Volume 1 Trade Paperback (New Printing)

(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

Now with First Born: Aftermath!

Reprinted to coincide with Artifacts; Top Cow’s 2007 event series – First Born. When Sara Pezzini discovered she was with child, she did not know who the father was, or even how she became pregnant. It soon became clear that her unborn child would be pivotal to the Top Cow Universe when the forces of The Darkness and the Angelus moved to take possession of the baby.

This new printing collects First Born #1-3 along with Witchblade #110-112 and for the first time, the collection also includes First Born: Aftermath. Written by Top Cow architect Ron Marz (Artifacts) and Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade) and featuring art by the industry’s finest artistic talent. Also included in the volume is a cover gallery, behind the scenes sketches, designs, and an introduction by Christos Gage!

Full Color 176 pages $14.99  trade paperback

Expected Ship Date – September 8^th, 2010

• Roger Ebert lists and explains the best films of the decade. A  Charlie Kaufman film comes out on top, but not for the film you’d expect. Despite not making any of our lists, NPI endorses the underrated Me and You and Everyone We Know (which Ebert includes in his list).

• Roger Ebert and John S were not the only ones to give their lists of Best Movies of the Decade, but Slate has figured out how to turn all these lists into one definitive answer. Meanwhile, other people weren’t so boxed in. David Wain, for example, decided to list his Middle 10 movies of the decade. Jim Emerson, Ebert’s colleague at the Chicago Sun-Times, wrote about his worst film of the decade, which happened to win an Oscar for Best Picture; we advise looking through some of the comments for an interesting debate. Ricky Gervais (who you may remember made a couple of NPI lists) gave his lists of movies, TV, music, and comedy. Others decided to just rank the years.

• Serious Eats chronicles the top eight pizzas of 2009. And their favorite beers. John S isn’t devastated that PBR didn’t make the cut.

• The Chicago Tribune complains about the proliferation of all these lists.

• John S lamented the demise of TV credit sequences. Well, he is not the only one peeved by this.

• It’s been too long since our last fiction link: Here’s “39 Minutes” from former NBA player and one-time NPI commenter Paul Shirley over at Flip Collective. And don’t worry, it is not tied to the Al Pacino movie.