Writer(s): Alyssa Milano, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly
Artist(s): Marcus To
Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are the young, brilliant co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world connects with each other. But they are also “sve_Urs3lf,” the largest black-hat hacking group on the planet. When their operation is discovered by the U.S. Government, and their company is taken over by military contracts and the CIA, Ed and Nate must face the real world beyond the code and choose between friendship and what they believe to be right.
A story about friendship and freedom in a time of war, stunningly illustrated by fan-favorite artist Marcus To (Cyborg 009, New Warriors, Red Robin) and Eisner Award-nominated colorist Ian Herring (Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, Cyborg 009, Ms. Marvel).
From the creative mind of Alyssa Milano, with artist Marcus To, colorist Ian Herring, and writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Hacktivist is a fast-paced cyber-thriller about friendship and freedom in a time war.
Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are young, brilliant, and the co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world stays connected. In secret, these best friends are also “sve_Urs3lf,” the largest, white-hat hacking group on the planet, exposing information and sparking revolutions across the globe.
The first issue dives right into the heart of this series, the use of technology to spark revolutions. Those revolutions can be how we connect with each other and keep in touch, to as big as overthrowing and changing a government. We’ve seen this in real life with Twitter playing a role in the Arab Spring, and Facebook allowing individuals to connect to affect change, to internet activists making sure the internet is up and running so people powered movements can connect and be heard. We’ve seen major parts of the internet shut down to prevent damaging legislation from being passed. This issue takes that change out of the hand of the countless numbers of faceless individuals typing away on keyboards behind the scenes, and puts it in the hands of the main characters Hiccox and Graft.
One can debate taking the away the efforts of so many and making it look like such grand efforts are possible by two individuals, but the idea is interesting. Tech pioneers today are creating change with every invention, with every improvement, so why not have them literally behind the scenes acting as hacktivists, helping on the ground political activists, in this first issue Tunisia.
As someone deep in this world, using technology to create change, the comic is an interesting concept and intelligently opens up a lot of questions and themes that should be fun to explore throughout its four issues. I can’t go too much into it without ruining the ending of the first issue, but as much as the comic talks about events like the Arab Spring, it also looks to dig into the NSA spying and governmental operations. While movements today are becoming more decentralized, they often line-up with centralized powers as well, and this dichotomy seems like it’ll be explored. Hopefully we’ll also get to question the benefits of a connected, stable world would bring to the main protagonists and their social networking platform.
Stories are often best when they reflect the modern world we live in. They’re great when they get us to think about that world. Hacktivist looks like it’s going in that direction, an old world form of communication commenting on a new world form of communication.
Story: Alyssa Milano, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Marcus To Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Archaia/BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
An epic re-imagining of Shotaro Ishinomori’s manga classic Cyborg 009, Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 is a specially priced sneak peek at the Archaia original graphic novel coming this summer. When a young man known only by the numerical designation “009” discovers his body has been cybernetically augmented and “improved” against his will, he must break free from the clutches of The Black Ghost, a secret society hell-bent on turning humans into cybernetic weapons of mass destruction for sale to the highest bidder.
I don’t know a whole lot about this series (or manga in general) but after talking to writer F.J. DeSanto at last year’s San Diego Comic Con, it was hard to not walk away excited about this project.
This steal of a book is a tease of what we can expect this summer when the full graphic novel is released. At just $1, the comic is packed with a solid story, an interview and some great pin-up art. It’s the best deal on the stands this week (other than those free comics this weekend).
The story is solid full of excitement, never a dull moment at all. We basically get the action scene before the opening credits of a movie. It’s engaging and fast paced. It sucked me in, I wanted more!
Then there’s the art, which is amazing. There’s an updated look to these classic characters, an East meets West manga style that’s just beautiful to look at. The use of panels, the flow, everything is spot on and had me lingering checking out each page.
The worst part is, we have to wait until July to get the full graphic novel. This is that fun and entertaining, I want to read it now! I might not know much about Cyborg 009, but this has me wanting to check out the classics that I’ve missed.
Even if the story and art weren’t so cool, I’d still recommend the book, it’s just $1, there’s no excuse to not get it. But luckily, we get one of the most entertaining comics of the week, for one of the lowest prices. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Story: F.J. DeSanto and Bradley Cramp Art: Marcus To and Ian Herring Story: 8.75 Art: 9 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Archaia provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Relativity Media, Archaia Entertainment, and Fandango Team Up For National Immortals Promotion
Relativity, Archaia, and Fandango Are Looking For A God And Goddess – Could That Be You?
Contest Now Live Exclusively On Facebook
LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2011) – Do you have what it takes to be a Greek God or Goddess? If so, then Relativity Media – the studio behind the visually spectacular 3D action adventure Immortals – wants you to sign up right away! Exclusively offered via Facebook today, the Relativity-Archaia Immortals promotion sponsored by Fandango, the nation’s leading moviegoer destination, will crown the winners on July 1 with a king’s ransom-worth of prizes, including a grand prize where contest winners will be immortalized as graphic novel characters with the “reveal” taking place at the Archaia panel during Comic-Con in a special photo-op ceremony. Winners will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Diego to attend the 2011 Comic-Con International. The package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and exclusive access to special Immortals events throughout the convention.
Entrants will share their reasons why they are the perfect candidate to become the Greek God (Apollo) or Goddess (Artemis) via the Facebook application form. The top-10 entries (five women and five men) with the most “Likes” at the end of the contest period will be asked to submit “authentic” audition tapes for the roles to Relativity Media. The film’s celebrated Director Tarsem Singh will select his two favorites (one man, one woman) and they will be crowned the winners.
Relativity Media and graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment, LLC formed a publishing partnership to produce and publish a hardcover graphic novel anthology based upon Relativity’s upcoming epic motion picture Immortals, which stars Henry Cavill (Superman: Man of Steel), Luke Evans (Robin Hood), Kellan Lutz (Twillight), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), and Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2).
Archaia will release the Immortals: Gods and Heroes graphic novel in September, serving as a prelude to the 3D motion picture, which releases worldwide on November 11, 2011. The graphic novel will expand upon the film’s key characters and events through a series of original tales written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, including David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Dennis Calero (Dark Tower) and Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night). The graphic novel will be published through Archaia’s Black Label division, a publishing pipeline dedicated to working alongside creative professionals within the entertainment industry eager to launch and expand their brands in the publishing world.
Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) and written by Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides, Immortals also stars Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies) and John Hurt (Hellboy).
The 3D epic is produced by Gianni Nunnari (300), Mark Canton (300), and Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter), and will be distributed by Relativity Media worldwide. In the UK, Australia, and certain other territories, distribution is in association with Universal Pictures International. In Immortals, the ruthless King Hyperion (Rourke) leads his bloodthirsty army on a murderous rampage across Greece to find a deadly weapon that will destroy humanity. A mortal chosen by Zeus named Theseus (Cavill) must lead the fight against Hyperion and his evil army with the fate of mankind and the Gods at stake.
About Relativity Media, LLC Relativity Media is a next-generation studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment including full-scale film and television production and distribution, the co-financing of major studio film slates, music publishing, sports management, and digital media. Additionally, the company makes strategic partnerships with, and investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets.
To date, Relativity has committed to, produced and/or financed more than 200 motion pictures. Released films have accumulated more than $15 billion in worldwide box office receipts. Relativity’s recent films include: Hop, Limitless, Battle: Los Angeles, Season of The Witch, Little Fockers, The Fighter, The Social Network, Salt, Despicable Me, Grown Ups, Dear John, It’s Complicated, Couples Retreat, and Zombieland. Upcoming films for Relativity include: Shark Night 3D, Immortals, Anonymous, Bridesmaids, and Cowboys & Aliens. Thirty-six of the company’s films have opened to No. 1 at the box office. Relativity films have earned 60 Oscar® nominations, including nods for The Fighter, The Social Network, The Wolfman, Nine, A Serious Man, Frost/Nixon, Atonement, American Gangster and 3:10 to Yuma. Fifty-five of Relativity’s films have each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box-office receipts.
Relativity also owns and operates Rogue Pictures, a company that specializes in films targeted to the 13-25 year old audience, and RogueLife, Relativity’s digital studio which is developing original content for the Web, and creating sustainable online platforms and communities. RelativityREAL, Relativity’s television arm, is currently producing 14 series and more than 20 pilots including Police Women for TLC, Coming Home for Lifetime, and The Great Food Truck Race for Food Network. About Archaia Entertainment Archaia Entertainment, LLC is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.
Retail Price: $3.95 U.S.
Page Count: 32 pages
Format: staple bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
On-sale Date: April 20, 2011
Country: U.S.
Written by Phil Hester
Illustrated by David Marquez
Cover by Dale Keown
Archaia and Roddenberry Productions bring you the pulse-pounding conclusion to DAYS MISSING: KESTUS! Since the dawn of mankind, the enigmatic being known as The Steward has guided our destiny in solitude. The Steward’s ability to “fold” days of time has resulted in critical human events being absent from our historical record. Although their existence is not remembered…the events of these days have forever changed the course of Earth’s evolution.
Switzerland. When Earth’s most advanced piece of technology threatens humanity’s destruction, The Steward returns to Cerne’s Hadron Collider—but this time, he’s not alone. Kestus, an immortal woman who has wreaked havoc on the world, allies herself with The Steward in order to prevent a major catastrophe. The fates of mortals and immortals alike hang in the balance! This final issue brings DAYS MISSING: KESTUS to a stunning close, revealing events that will alter The Steward’s existence forever.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
Relativity Media And Archaia Entertainment Team Up For Graphic Novel Based On Upcoming 3-D Epic Immortals
Archaia To Launch Hardcover Immortals Graphic Novel In September
Ahead Of The Eagerly Anticipated November 11 Theatrical Release
HOLLYWOOD/SAN FRANCISCO (WONDERCON/April 1, 2011) – Relativity Media and graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment, LLC have formed a publishing partnership to produce and publish a hardcover graphic novel anthology based upon Relativity’s upcoming epic motion picture Immortals, starring Henry Cavill (Superman: Man of Steel), Luke Evans (Robin Hood), Kellan Lutz (Twillight), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), and Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2).
Archaia will release the Immortals graphic novel in September, serving as a precursor to the 3-D motion picture, which releases worldwide on November 11, 2011. The graphic novel will expand upon the film’s key characters and events through a series of original tales written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, including David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Dennis Calero (Dark Tower) and Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night). The graphic novel will be published through Archaia’s Black Label division, a publishing pipeline dedicated to working alongside creative professionals within the entertainment industry eager to launch and expand their brands in the publishing world.
“We could not be more proud to form our creative partnership with Archaia, a publisher that has successfully earned industry-wide acclaim for its commitment to quality and fans of genre entertainment. Archaia possesses all of the creative resources required to perfectly capture the film’s artistic and narrative essence,” said artistic and narrative essence,” said Peter Adee, President, Theatrical Marketing & Distribution, Relativity Media .
The Relativity-Archaia partnership was facilitated by Joe LeFavi of Quixotic Transmedia, who spearheads business development for Archaia’s Black Label division. “We are thrilled to have found such an amazing partner in Relativity. Working closely with the film’s creative team, we are working hard to expand upon the mythology and reach a level of quality worthy of such a visionary storyteller as the film’s director, Tarsem Singh. We are honored that Relativity chose Archaia to introduce fans across the globe to such a rich and visually stunning world,” said LeFavi, who will also serve as executive editor on the graphic novel.
Archaia will hold a panel at the WonderCon in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, April 2 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Room 220 of the Moscone Center South to celebrate their collaboration with Relativity Media on Immortals, and share more details about their creative team and special promotions surrounding the book’s release. Later that afternoon, members of the cast will also be on hand to debut exclusive footage and host a panel discussion at 4:00 PM in the Main Hall.
Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) and written by Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides, Immortals also stars Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies) and John Hurt (Hellboy). Relativity Media is distributing the 3-D epic worldwide. In the UK, Australia, and certain other territories, distribution is in association with Universal Pictures International. In Immortals, the ruthless King Hyperion (Rourke) leads his bloodthirsty army on a murderous rampage across Greece to find a deadly weapon that will destroy humanity. A mortal chosen by Zeus named Theseus (Cavill) must lead the fight against Hyperion and his evil army with the fate of mankind and the Gods at stake.
About Relativity Media: Relativity Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company that focuses on creating, financing and distributing entertainment content and intellectual property across multiple platforms, as well as making strategic partnerships with, and opportunistic investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets. Relativity owns and operates Rogue, a company that specializes in the production and distribution of films targeted to the 13-25 year old audience. Building upon its foundation of financing and producing films, Relativity has grown to include music, sports and television divisions and the next-generation social network iamrogue.com. Relativity also owns and operates RelativityREAL, Relativity’s television arm, which has become one of the leading suppliers of reality television with more than 20 shows in episodic or pilot.
To date, Relativity has committed to, produced and/or financed more than 200 motion pictures. Released films have accumulated more than $15.0 billion in worldwide box office revenue. Relativity’s recent films include Salt, Despicable Me, Grown Ups, Charlie St. Cloud,Dear John, It’s Complicated, Zombieland, Couples Retreat, Get Him to the Greek, Robin Hood, and, most recently, The Fighter, Little Fockers, James Cameron’s Sanctum in 3D, Season of the Witch, Take Me Home Tonight, Limitless, and The Social Network. Upcoming films for Relativity include Immortals, Shark Night 3-D, Hop, Bridesmaids, and Cowboys & Aliens. 35 of the company’s films have opened at No. 1 at the box office. Relativity films have earned 60 Oscar® nominations, including nods for Nine, A Serious Man, Frost/Nixon, Atonement, American Gangster and 3:10 to Yuma, The Wolfman, The Social Network and The Fighter. 53 of Relativity’s films have each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box-office receipts.
About Archaia Entertainment Archaia Entertainment, LLC is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Artesia, Mouse Guard, The Killer, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, Titanium Rain, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Engineer, and the entire line of Jim Henson graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. As a result of its publishing prowess, Archaia is the reigning 2010 Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.
In Lucid #3 we get a good dose of history, who the bad guys are and what they want. It’s a lot to jam into 24 pages, but it works really well. I hate to say this four issue limited series is an example of packing a lot into a few pages, but writer Michael McMillian pulls it off without issues.
LUCID barrels toward an explosive climax as Agent Dee is pulled deeper into a dark conspiracy fraught with bold, unbridled evil! After a dangerous Magical Artifact created by Matthew’s infamous ancestor disappears from the archives of The School of Black, Matthew travels to London to team up with England’s Combat Mage, the beautiful and enchanting Wren, to hunt it down before all Hell breaks loose. LUCID is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his company, Before the Door.
There’s a lot here and the weaving of modern day with magic works quite well. There’s something I really like about this series as well as this issue. There’s action, evil, just tons to have fun with.
This limited series is only four issues, but I’m hoping we get a second volume that lasts for more. I’d like to see what McMillian could do with more.
FIVE SUPERSTAR COVER ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR ARCHAIA AND RODDENBERRY’S ‘DAYS MISSING: KESTUS’
ALEX ROSS, DALE KEOWN AND DAVID MACK AMONG THE ARTISTS ILLUSTRATING THE COVERS TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF THIS HIT MINISERIES
Los Angeles, CA (July 27, 2010) – At the Archaia: Black Label panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Archaia Entertainment and Roddenberry Productions proudly announced the all-star lineup of cover artists contributing to the second volume of the critically acclaimed comic book series DAYS MISSING.
A different artist will illustrate each of the five upcoming covers of Days Missing: Kestus, which launches in September. As previously announced, Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Astro City) will be creating the cover for issue #1. Jorge Molina (Marvel Superhero Team-Up, What If? Spiderman: House of M) will design the cover of issue #2, and Ryan Benjamin (Grifter/Midnighter, New Mutants) will lend his talents to the cover of issue #3. David Mack (Daredevil, Atomika) has signed on to draw issue #4’s cover, and Dale Keown (The Darkness, Pitt), who illustrated all of the covers for Days Missing volume 1, will return to illustrate the cover to issue #5.
“Each talented cover artist brings his own perspective of The Steward and Kestus to the series, which creates a richer, deeper understanding of these multi-layered characters,” said Roddenberry Productions Head of Development Trevor Roth. ArtistDavid Marquez (Syndrome: The Graphic Novel) will illustrate the pages of all five issues of the continuing epic, which fan-favorite and Eisner Award-nominated author Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) will write.
Days Missing: Kestus continues the tale of The Steward, a mysterious being who has the ability to literally “fold” days of time, secretly removing critical days from history. At the end of the first series, hints were dropped that The Steward was not alone in his powers. The second series will focus on his relationship with a new being, Kestus, as well as more days for him to “fold.”
Hester and Marquez joined Archaia’s SDCC panel along with Roddenberry Productions’ CEO Rod Roddenberry. Fans were treated to a limited run, complimentary preview book written by Creator Trevor Roth and drawn by David Marquez.
“Archaia and Roddenberry Productions have assembled five of the best cover artists in the industry today to lend their talents to this exciting franchise,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “It just goes to show that Days Missing is one of the best science-fiction comics out there, and this new set of issues will not only just add to its popularity, but bring in new fans!”
Days Missing: Kestus will be published under Archaia’s new Black Label line of titles, which specializes in co-developing intellectual properties with prestigious partners who are seeking to flesh out and realize their original ideas through the use of Archaia’s resources.
Issue #1 of Days Missing Vol. 2: Kestus (five-issue miniseries, full color, $3.95, 32 pages, Diamond Order Code JUL10 0764) is set to debut in September wherever comic books are sold.
Future updates on the series, including preview images and other behind-the-scenes material, can be found at www.daysmissing.com.
About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. Archaia is: An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, Artesia, Awakening, Beautiful Scars, Berona’s War, The Black Knight, Critical Millennium, Cyclops, The Dark Crystal, Dark Fall, Days Missing, The Devil’s Handshake, The Engineer, Everlast, Feeding Ground, Fraggle Rock, God Machine, The Grave Doug Freshley, Gunnerkrigg Court, Hybrid Bastards!, Inanna’s Tears, The Killer, Killing Pickman, Labyrinth, The Lone and Level Sands, Lucid, Miranda Mercury, Moon Lake, Mouse Guard, Mr. Murder Is Dead, Okko, One in a Million, Primordia, Return of the Dapper Men, Robotika, Saga, The Secret History, Some New Kind of Slaughter, Starkweather: Immortal, Syndrome, Titanium Rain, Trial By Fire, Tumor and 10 more new titles in 2010.
For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com or the Archaia Facebook page at facebook.com/archaiacomics. Follow Archaia on Twitter at twitter.com/archaiacomics.
About Roddenberry Productions Roddenberry Productions is a science-fiction leader with a tradition of groundbreaking entertainment and quality merchandise. Originally founded in 1967 by Gene Roddenberry, the company has since led a steady stable of science fiction successes including Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict, Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and, most notably, the Star Trek brand. Roddenberry Productions continues to produce entertainment for all audiences, employing a viewer-centric creative process and resulting in insightful visions of humanity. Its merchandising business is based on quality and authenticity providing memorabilia for fans in today’s new multimedia generation. Roddenberry Productions has set itself apart by creating content that surpasses mere entertainment; it acknowledges the intelligence of audiences by challenging them to think, question and explore the world, and those potentially beyond.
