Tag Archives: ominous press

Ominous Press Kickstarts Kicking Ice from Stephanie Phillips, Lee Moder, and Marissa Louise

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Kicking Ice, a 62-page graphic novel, created and written by Stephanie Phillips, drawn by Lee Moder, and colored by Marissa Louise, will debut through Ominous Press in the fall of 2018. The all-ages story is about two young, female hockey players dreaming of playing professional hockey in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). The book is being supported by a Kickstarter campaign intended to bring the project to fruition, and a portion of all sales goes directly to the NWHL to support the athletes and the growth of the league.

After moving from Boston to Hartford, CT, Bella befriends a classmate named Skye who happens to play ice hockey and roots adamantly for her home NWHL team, the Connecticut Whale. Thanks to Skye, Bella falls in love with ice hockey and becomes a devoted fan of the NWHL. As their friendship grows, both Bella and Skye dream of one day playing in the NWHL. For the time being, however, they both play on the same junior hockey team where, unfortunately, they encounter bullies who think that girls shouldn’t play hockey. Of course, Bella and Skye, with the inspiring help of their heroes in the NWHL, prove to the bullies that kicking ice isn’t just for boys.

Kicking Ice is a celebration of the pioneering efforts of everyone involved in making professional women’s hockey a reality, and the story is built on the social values of the NWHL – inclusiveness, equality, and empowerment. Thanks to the NWHL, a new generation of players, like Bella and Skye, get to realize their dream of playing professional hockey.

Find out more about the graphic novel and support it today!

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors are choosing up to five books and why they’re choosing the books. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Batman: Creature of the Night #1 (DC Comics) – Kurt Busiek and John Paul Leon unite for a spiritual companion to Superman: Secret Identity. Busiek writing Batman, yes please!

Catalyst Prime: Kino #1 (Lion Forge Comics) – A new entry in Lion Forge’s impressive new world. Anything the release is worth checking out and has us excited!

Chasing Hitler #1 (Red 5 Comics) – From the mind of a high school senior, the niece of Jai Nitz. The creator and concept of Hitler surviving and being chased down has us intrigued.

Dark Ark #3 (AfterShock) – Have you read the first two issues? This mash-up of horror and Biblical concepts is a fascinating and fun read.

Darkhawk #51 (Marvel) – We’re always interested in seeing what Marvel is doing with these one-shots and revisiting some classic characters and stories.

Eternity #2 (Valiant) – Is another classic in the making too hogh a bar?

Giantkillers #0 (IDW Publishing/Ominous Press) – Bart Sears and Ron Marz are continuing to kick off their new world and we want to see what it’s all about.

Interceptor Vol. 2 Reactor #1 (Vault Comics) – Donny Cates is writing it and that’s all we need to know about this return into the world of vampire warfare.

John Wick #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – If you’ve seen the two movies you know why we’re excited for this.

Mystik U #1 (DC Comics) – It’s Harry Potter meets Gotham Academy with DC’s mystical characters. We’re onboard to see where this goes.

Splatoon Vol. 1 (VIZ Media) – The popular video game in manga form!

Star Trek Discovery #1 (IDW Publishing) – The show has been fantastic so we’re expect the same with these comics.

Star Wars Comics (Marvel and IDW Publishing) – There’s four different Star Wars comics from two publishers and we’re excited for them all.

Sword of Ages #1 (IDW Publishing) – Gabriel Rodriguez, the writer/artist/Locke & Key co-creator does fantasy. Yes please!

Zegas GN (Fantagraphics) – Michel Fiffe of Copra awesomeness. That alone should get you interested in this.

Preview: Giantkillers #0

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Giantkillers #0

Bart Sears & Ron Marz (w) • Bart Sears & Tom Raney (a) • Bart Sears (c)

The foundation for the epic Bart Sears GIANTKILLERS saga starts here! This special double-sized issue presents a pair of short stories written and drawn by master storyteller Bart Sears, as well as writer Ron Marz and artist Tom Raney teaming up for the pivotal lead feature. Fantasy and science fiction clash head on as the grizzled warrior Arkon the Giantkiller must protect the young Auoro, destined to battle the evil Dread Lord Omin… if she can survive! More than 40 pages of stunning art and compelling story for the price of a single issue!

FC • 48 pages • $3.99

Beasts of the Black Hand Graphic Novel from Paul Harding, Ron Marz, and Matthew Dow Smith

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Beasts of the Black Hand is a horror/adventure tale set in the waning days of the first World War, when dieselpunk technology is making for a very different world. The 64-page hardcover graphic novel, created by sculptor Paul Harding, written by Ron Marz, drawn by Matthew Dow Smith, and colored by Neeraj Menon, will debut early in 2018, laying the groundwork for an epic multi-volume story.

The time is December, 1916. War rages across Europe, some empires collapsing, others being born. In snow-covered St. Petersburg, Russia, the mad monk, Rasputin, is invited to dinner at Moika Palace by Prince Felix Yusupov. Among the dinner guests is a British secret agent named Oswald Rayner. This much is historical fact.

Despite the monk’s supernatural might, Rayner succeeds in assassinating Rasputin. But his death only presages far darker events. The secret cabal known as the Black Hand is plotting to unleash otherworldly horrors upon Europe.

It falls to Rayner to stop the Black Hand’s insidious plot. But standing in his way is Maria Rasputin, daughter of the mad monk and agent for the Black Hand. Their paths cross with near-fatal results in St. Petersburg…

…and then again in 1919 Paris, as world peace hangs in the balance at the Versailles Conference. Joined by allies like his aide Biffy Dunderdale and American war hero Henry Johnson, Rayner again must face Maria Rasputin, leading to confrontation that yields shocking revelations and deadly consequences. If Oswald Rayner fails, the Beasts will be unleashed.

Currently running on Kickstarter the project is looking for $24,000 to be fully funded and the campaign ends November 30.

Paul Harding is best known for his work as a sculptor of statues and action figures for clients including DC Collectibles, Gentle Giant, and Sideshow, Harding is giving full vent to his imagination as the creator and concept artist of Beasts of the Black Hand.

Ron Marz is a veteran of the comics industry, writer Ron Marz has worked for every major publisher, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, IDW, and Image. He’s penned acclaimed runs on Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, and Witchblade, among others.

Dual threat Mathew Dow Smith is known as both an artist and writer. As an artist, he has amassed credits at Marvel, DC, IDW and Dark Horse, including Batman and Wonder Woman tales, and lengthy runs on Doctor Who and X-Files.

A concept artist and colorist, Neeraj Menon has worked for publishers including Image, Dynamite, IDW, Disney India, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. His unique palette has graced many titles, including The Protectors from AthlitaComics.

Preview: Dread Gods #2

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Dread Gods #2

Ron Marz (w) • Tom Raney (a & c)

The Ominous Press launch continues in DREAD GODS, as a pristine fantasy landscape collides with post-apocalyptic reality! The Promethean gods begin to realize they are mere pawns, trapped in dream. Their only hope for escape rests in the hands of a disabled outcast who can’t even reach them. Writer Ron Marz and artist Tom Raney are unleashed in an epic world!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Preview: Dread Gods #1

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Dread Gods #1

Ron Marz (w) • Tom Raney, Bart Sears(a) • Tom Raney (c)

Ominous Press launches with the first of three limited series set in a science-fiction/fantasy universe of epic heroes and insidious villains. In DREAD GODS, gods in a fantasy world discover they’re actually monsters in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Acclaimed creators Ron Marz and Tom Raney join with art master Bart Sears to usher in adventure like no other! Includes a backup tale by Bart Sears, and a wealth of added content.

FC • 48 pages • $3.99

IDW Partners with Ominous Press

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IDW Publishing has announced a partnership with Ominous Press to bring a new line of epic adventure comics to the market. The brainchild of comic art master Bart Sears, Ominous Press will tell stories of larger-than-life heroes and villains in fantasy and science-fiction settings.

Ominous Press had a brief, initial life in the mid-’90s, before the crash of the comic market brought down so many fledgling publishers. Now Ominous Press returns, releasing all-new material through IDW beginning in July. Ominous Press is comprised of Chief Creative Officer Bart Sears, Publisher Sean HusVar, Editor-in-Chief Ron Marz, and Art Director Andy Smith.

The initial lineup of Ominous Press titles is: Dread Gods, written by Ron Marz and drawn by Tom Raney, in which gods in a fantasy world discover they’re actually monsters in a post-apocalyptic hell;  Giantkillers, written and drawn by Bart Sears, telling the story of a broken warrior who must protect a child destined to be the universe’s last hope against the ultimate villain; and Demi-God, written by Ron Marz and drawn by Andy Smith, about a fame-seeking hero gaining great power, but forgetting the great responsibility part.

Each title will initially launch as a four-issue mini-series. Each series stands alone, intended to be read independently, but with connecting plot threads that create a larger canvas.

Dread Gods will be the first title, with issue #1 debuting in July. Dread Gods #1 will have a standard cover by series artist Tom Raney, a wraparound cover by Bart Sears, and incentive covers by Kenneth Rocafort (1-in-10) and the legendary Neal Adams (1-in-25). Dread Gods #1 will be an oversize 48-page issue, including the lead feature by Marz and Raney, a backup story by Bart Sears, and a wealth of additional content, all for $3.99. Giantkillers and then Demi-God will follow.

The marriage of Ominous Press and IDW was spearheaded by IDW Editor-in-Chief David Hedgecock.

Ominous Press will have a presence with IDW at July’s Comic-Con International as the publishing line launches.

Ominous Press Returns with World Premiere #1

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Ominous Press created a splash in the comics market two decades ago, telling epic tales of powerful heroes and vile villains. Now Ominous Press has returned, preparing to launch three new titles in 2017: Giantkillers, written and drawn by Bart Sears; Prometheus, written by Ron Marz and drawn by Tom Raney; and Demi-God, written by Ron Marz and drawn by Andy Smith.

All three titles are previewed in the first Ominous offering, Ominous Press World Premiere. Meant as an introduction to the characters and concepts of the Ominous Universe, the 24-page issue features short preview stories for each title, as well as a wealth of background information.

Giantkillers is a sword and sorcery epic set in a cyber-noir landscape. Prometheus tells the tale of heroes in a mythic fantasy who suddenly find themselves in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. And Demi-God is a contemporary superhero tale like no other, as an irresponsible slacker gets the power of a god.

The Ominous Press World Premiere is available with a standard cover, blank sketch covers, and three limited, wraparound variant covers by Bart Sears and colorist Nanjan Jamberi. Sears, the Chief Creative Officer at Ominous, is excited to finally be bringing his creations to life.

The Ominous Press World Premiere is available online via the Ominous Press website in both signed and unsigned versions.

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