Avatar Press

New This Week: An Avatar Variant Explosion!

by Keith Davidsen on February 1, 2012

That’s right, I said, “Explosion.”  And why not?  You know Avatar’s an in-your-face kinda publisher!

We are proud to announce that today, we’ve got some excellent variant covers for some of our fan-favorite titles, hitting shelves in the USA, Canada, UK, and heck, perhaps even Zimbabwe and Pakistan for all we know! So whether you’re a hardcore Avatar fan with a need to collect fantastic cover artwork, or a lucky person who missed out on the first release but now have a second chance to snag a copy, you’ll want to head to your local comic book shop and get your comics on!

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #5 Shark Attack Edition

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #5 Shark Attack Edition
Retail: $5.99, Cover by Matt Martin
Diamond Item Code: DEC110869

Matt Martin delivers this devouring new cover that was previous only available at Wizard Austin convention and is limited to 850 copies. The band of survivors Harold Lorre has connected with have cleverly tricked two giant tribes of Crossed into fighting each other. The hope is that they weed each other out and give the scared humans a chance to get far away. But no one suspects that Lorre himself might be a greater danger than the posse of Crossed that they are hiding from. After all, Lorre has certain needs that he must satiate.

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 Auxiliary Edition

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 Auxiliary Edition
Retail: $3.99, Cover by Gianluca Pagliarani
Diamond Item Code: DEC110868

A vicious cover from Gianluca Pagliarani on this special edition first printing that is limited to 1500 copies and is the same cover price as the regular edition! What is worse than a homicidal Crossed maniac bent on visiting the most unimaginable atrocities upon you? David Lapham (CALIGULA) reveals the true horror behind a human monster that was twisted beyond belief without the Crossed infection driving his insanity. Harold Lorre is a very special fiend that brings his own unique brand of Hell to the downtrodden survivors of a world gone mad.

STITCHED #1 NYCC Edition

STITCHED #1 NYCC Edition
Retail: $3.99, Cover by Mike Wolfer
Diamond Item Code: DEC110870

Horror artist Mike Wolfer, provides a wickedly visceral STITCHED image on this special edition previously only available at New York Comic Con and limited to 1000 copies! Ripped straight from the debut of his first-ever writing/directing effort comes the ongoing comic book continuation of the acclaimed short film, STITCHED! The three survivors of an American military helicopter crash discover that there is something even more deadly than the Taliban controlled countryside they find themselves trapped in. Garth Ennis weaves a tale that combines today’s headlines with his trademark vision of the supernatural into a modern horror masterpiece.

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New This Week: ATMOSPHERICS COLOR Graphic Novel

by Keith Davidsen on January 25, 2012

You may have seen Warren Ellis’ ATMOSPHERICS before, but never like this!

Available at fine comic book shops everywhere, the ATMOSPHERICS Color Edition graphic novel presents Ellis’ psychological thriller in fully painted color, wholly remastered by artist Ken Meyer, Jr.

An event of unparalleled horror happened in the town called Helen, and the only survivor is Bridget Rhinehart. When the entire populace was ripped apart, turned inside out in the style of cattle mutilations, how could one woman live survive? Unless… Bridget herself was somehow responsible. Is she who she claims to be, an escapee of an alien attack? Or is she dangerous, a mass murderer of innocent people and FBI agents? And do her interrogators want the truth, or a scapegoat to pin the massacre on?

We’ve happily provided a preview of the ATMOSPHERICS Color Edition graphic novel below, but we also encourage you to familiarize yourself with Ken Meyer, Jr., the highly skilled artist whose full-color painting gave new life to this science fiction / horror classic. Check out the BleedingCool.com interview by clicking here!

And now, without further ado…

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Retailers, Get Excited for C-Day Launch of CROSSED: BADLANDS!

by Keith Davidsen on January 20, 2012

On March 14, Avatar Press will launch the brand-new CROSSED: BADLANDS series, the brainchild of one of the industry’s best-selling writers, Garth Ennis. Building upon the success of three preceding miniseries and an original 3D graphic novel, the new BADLANDS series will be published ongoing and bi-weekly. It’s a huge, ambitious project that we hope will delight fans, capture a new audience, and generate strong sales for our retail partners worldwide.

To create a groundswell of enthusiasm for prospective new readers, we are encouraging retailers will celebrate the launch of the BADLANDS series with an in-store event called “C-DAY”. Retailers are encouraged to stock up on supportive promotional materials, like the CROSSED: GET INFECTED sampler comic and CROSSED C-DAY SURVIVAL KIT (which comes packed with face masks, temporary tattoos, posters, and more), both of which are available for order through the January Previews catalog.

But don’t take just our word for it! Retailers from all over have chimed in with their support for the new series, eager to spread their enthusiasm and share their thoughts on how to make CROSSED: BADLANDS and its C-Day launch a massive success. Just listen to the testimonial of our retail partners!

“I’m always surprised by how many copies of CROSSED we sell. It may not be a mainstream title, nor does it have a television presence like THE WALKING DEAD, but the book has legs. If you stock it, you will sell it – easy as cake.“

– Tate Ottati, Tate’s Comics (Lauderhill, FL)

“Beyond the shocks (and there are plenty), there lies a surprisingly genuine, deep, and engaging story in CROSSED that gives a unique new spin to the survival horror genre. CROSSED is a consistent seller for us, the highest numbers of any Avatar title, and will sometimes sell out within one day of release! C-Day will only improve on that by raising the level of awareness with CROSSED’s first “event”. I look forward to using it to its full potential!”

– Greg Gage, Black Cat Comics (Salt Lake City, UT)

“CROSSED is the worst nightmare I pray you’ve never had. I read it through my fingers. Its sales are right up there with THE WALKING DEAD.”

– Stephen L. Holland, Page 45 (Nottingham, UK)

“CROSSED has served as a fantastic way to reach out to fans of the horror genre that visit our stores. We’ve watched as sales in both the trade paperback collections and the single issues have grown since the series launch, and we are amped for the launch of the CROSSED: BADLANDS ongoing. The perfect answer to that brand new WALKING DEAD fan who says, ‘What do I read next?’ CROSSED: BADLANDS is going to be one of our top picks of 2012.”

– Steve Anderson, Third Eye Comics (Annapolis, MD)

“CROSSED is a series that made me realize that, even as a veteran comic reader and horror movie watcher, I could still be shocked, horrified, and thoroughly entertained by written media. Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows have created a world so bleak and dark that you can’t help but feel the dread oozing out of this book. If you think you can’t be shocked by anything anymore, read CROSSED and get back to me.”

– Jared Whittaker, Super-Fly Comics and Games (Yellow Springs, OH)

“Avatar has successfully found a needed and desired corner in comics. We sell more issues of CROSSED than all but one of the five different AVENGERS books. I am excited to see a bi-weekly ongoing series, not just for more Garth Ennis (who is one of our shop’s top selling authors), but for the financial increase it will bring too. More CROSSED means more money… twisted, terrifying money, but money nonetheless.”

– Matt Johnson, Cup o’ Kryptonite (Des Moines, IA)

If you’re a retailer and want to make the most out of your C-Day in-store event, we’re happy to share a few ideas!

• Create a display of CROSSED-related merchandise on an endcap, a dedicated shelf space, or your counter!

• Stock up on our three CROSSED trade paperbacks, as well as the CROSSED 3D graphic novel.

• Cross-promote other great Avatar Press books featuring the talent of Garth Ennis or Jacen Burrows (like CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD and 303).

• Drop one of the CROSSED: GET INFECTED sample comics into the pull bin for your dedicated zombie-buying customers.

• Organize a CROSSED version of a “Zombie Walk” in the neighborhood of your shop.

For more ideas on how to maximize sales of CROSSED at your store, please feel free to contact Keith Davidsen, our Director of Sales and Marketing, by phone at 217-714-0746 or e-mail keith@avatarpress.net. He’s ready and willing to field your questions and help you make the most of your C-Day experience!

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New This Week: CALIGULA #6 and CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7

by Keith Davidsen on January 18, 2012

It’s a banner week for David Lapham. Two of the most horrific, spine-tingling comic series of all time are coming to an end, both with the twists and turns you’d come to expect from a writer of his caliber.  Thank goodness FERALS has just started, filling in the void we’d otherwise feel after his departure from CALIGULA #6 and CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7!

In CALIGULA #6, the streets of Rome run red with blood as Lapham brings the story of the most feared emperor of all time to its startling conclusion to! Junius has endured the brutal slaughter of his parents, the savage needs of a demonic steed, and the maddened ravings of his beloved and despised enemy (a complex relationship, to be sure). Having been tasked to record the gospel of Caligula, to witness his perverse and murderous deeds and record them for posterity, can this fragile mortal man decipher the supernatural secrets of Rome’s most despised despot and put an end to the insanity? What would it take to kill a man who cannot die?

David Lapham drags fans into the darkest corners of Rome’s history and dares you to stare down the madness within. German Nobile illustrates this final gruesome chapter in the CALIGULA epic. Issue #6 is available with a Regular cover by Jacen Burrows and a Wraparound cover by series artist German Nobile. (Retailers are also eligible to receive a special Golden Age of Rome edition, although availability varies by location).

CALIGULA #6 Regular Edition
$3.99 Retail, Cover by Jacen Burrows (pictured)
Diamond Item Code: OCT110851

CALIGULA #6 Wraparound Edition
$3.99 Retail, Cover by German Nobile
Diamond Item Code: OCT110852

Also in stores today, you’ll be able to find CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7. It’s all come down to this, folks! Harold Lorre was a despicable excuse for a man before the collapse of civilization, but his sick desires and deadly manipulations have reached levels that would inspire awe and envy even in the Crossed themselves! And now, in the final issue of PSYCHOPATH, his cat-and-mouse game with beautiful, strong-willed Amanda finally comes to an end. This is gruesome psychological terror at its most intense! To paraphrase the CROSSED catch phrase: Is there hope? Is there escape? If there is only to be one left remaining, who will it be, and what will be left of him or her?

The highly detailed and spine-chilling illustrations of Raulo Caceres (CAPTAIN SWING, CRECY) perfectly bring the terrors from inside David Lapham’s head right to the comic page!  CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 has three standard cover variants in stores today, with a Regular edition by Jacen Burrows and Torture and Wraparound editions by Raulo Caceres. (Retailers are also eligible to receive a special Red Crossed edition, although availability varies by location).

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 Regular Edition
$3.99 Retail, Cover by Jacen Burrows (pictured)
Diamond Item Code: NOV110765

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 Torture Edition
$3.99 Retail, Cover by Raulo Caceres
Diamond Item Code: NOV110766

CROSSED: PSYCHOPATH #7 Wraparound Edition
$3.99 Retail, Cover by Raulo Caceres
Diamond Item Code: NOV110767

And here’s a preview of the final PSYCHOPATH chapter for your reading enjoyment:

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Previews Featured Item of January – CROSSED VOL. 3: PSYCHOPATH Graphic Novel

New This Week: FERALS #1

New This Week – CROSSED: BADLANDS OPENING SALVO, plus PSYCHOPATH and STITCHED Variants

CROSSED Nominated for Horror Comic Awards, and Fans Can Vote!

New This Week: WOLFSKIN VOL. 2: HUNDREDTH DREAM Graphic Novel

Worldwide “C-Day” Event Kicks Off New Ongoing, Bi-Weekly CROSSED: BADLANDS Series