Tag Archives: peyo

Papercutz and Smurfs Team Up for FCBD 2023 and the First Ever Smurfs Augmented Reality Comic Book!

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Smurfs Free Comic Book Day 2023

65 years ago, legendary Smurfs creator Peyo drew the first Smurf. On Free Comic Book Day 2023 (May 6, 2023), the Smurfs jump off the pages with a brand new Augmented Reality comic from Papercutz. The FCBD issue, which marks the 65th anniversary of the franchise, will include three original stories by Smurfs creator Peyo, two of which have not been published in English before: “The Smurf from Outer Space,” and “Smurfs and the Robot X-XIII.” Among these classic pages, readers will be welcomed to enjoy a new dynamic reading experience with pages that activate through a virtual environment where people are increasingly spending more time.

Papercutz, which was acquired by Mad Cave Studios in 2022, is proud to present this augmented reality FCBD issue for fans to pick up at their local comic shops for free on May 6, 2023– where they’ll immediately be able to activate a digital Smurfette to pop up off the cover of the issue!

This Smurfs 65th anniversary special for Free Comic Book Day will showcase 65 years of evolution for the Smurfs franchise, and represent a major step for the brand. Combining the timelessness of the classic comic book experience with the exciting new frontier of the metaverse, this issue is an ode to the past and a vision for a smurftastic future. 

The three stories included in the book were created by Peyo himself. They include:

  • “A Kiss for Smurfette” – Gargamel has hatched another dastardly plot to put an end to the Smurfs.  This time, he practices a dangerous potion on Smurfette, turning her into a frog.  Will Gargamel’s plan work?  Or will the Smurfs find a way to stop him and return Smurfette to her natural form?  
  • “The Smurf from Outer Space” – When Lazy Smurf gets lost at night, he meets a Venutian named Brtt.  After a brief conflict with Gargamel, Brtt’s ship is destroyed! Can the Smurfs fix the ship of their new friend, or will Gargamel have the upper hand and finally get his revenge on his sworn enemies?
  • “Smurfs and the Robot X-XIII” – Brtt returns with his fiancee, chased by a robot sent from Venus because their parents don’t approve of the union.  The Smurfs try to help their friend, but Gargamel catches them!  Will Papa Smurf and the Smurfs be able to save their friend, or will Gargamel finally destroy the Smurfs once and for all?!

Papercutz and Mad Cave announce The Smurfs Tales #8: The Smurfs and the Sorcerer’s Love and Other Stories

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Papercutz and Mad Cave Studios have announced The Smurfs Tales #8: The Smurfs and the Sorcerer’s Love and Other Stories in paperback and hardcover on October 24, 2023. 

Has The Smurfs’ eternal rival, the wizard Gargamel, fallen under life’s ultimate spell…… LOVE??

Join Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and the rest of the lovable blue Smurfs for classic, three-apple tall adventures, translated into English for the first time

Life for Gargamel has been frustrating as of late: he’s tired of hunting, living alone, and cooking for himself. A lady companion would be a solution… but who would take the frumpy evil sorcerer as a companion?! If love is magic, can even Gargamel be transformed for the better? The Smurfs think so and concoct a scheme to get Gargamel partnered up! Also featuring the Smurfs’ friends Johan and Peewit in an adventure of their own. Johan, the royal page, and Peewit, the court jester, investigate the truth behind a young noble with exceptional swordsmanship. Plus: Join the Smurfs for tales of magic and sorcery, along with fun short stories showcasing the whole Smurfs Village.

The Smurfs Tales #8: The Smurfs and the Sorcerer's Love and Other Stories

Mad Cave and Papercutz Launches First Smurfs Augmented Reality Comic for Free Comic Book Day 2023

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65 years ago, legendary Smurfs creator Peyo drew the first Smurf. On Free Comic Book Day 2023 (May 6, 2023), the Smurfs jump off the pages with a brand new Augmented Reality comic from Papercutz. This new comic book includes three original Smurfs stories by Peyo himself that are being published in English for the first time. Among these classic pages, readers will be welcomed to enjoy a new dynamic reading experience with pages that activate through a virtual environment where people are increasingly spending more time.

Papercutz, which was acquired by Mad Cave Studios in 2022, presents this augmented reality FCBD issue for fans to pick up at their local comic shops for free on May 6, 2023– where they’ll immediately be able to activate a digital Smurfette to pop up off the cover of the issue!

This Smurfs 65th anniversary special for Free Comic Book Day will showcase 65 years of evolution for the Smurfs franchise, and represent a major step for the brand. Combining the timelessness of the classic comic book experience with the exciting new frontier, this issue is an ode to the past and a vision for a smurftastic future.

The three stories included in the book were created by Peyo himself. They include:

  • “A Kiss for Smurfette” – Gargamel has hatched another dastardly plot to put an end to the Smurfs.  This time, he practices a dangerous potion on Smurfette, turning her into a frog.  Will Gargamel’s plan work?  Or will the Smurfs find a way to stop him and return Smurfette to her natural form? 
  • “The Smurf from Outer Space” – When Lazy Smurf gets lost at night, he meets a Venutian named Brtt.  After a brief conflict with Gargamel, Brtt’s ship is destroyed! Can the Smurfs fix the ship of their new friend, or will Gargamel have the upper hand and finally get his revenge on his sworn enemies?
  • “Smurfs and the Robot X-XIII” – Brtt returns with his fiancee, chased by a robot sent from Venus because their parents don’t approve of the union.  The Smurfs try to help their friend, but Gargamel catches them!  Will Papa Smurf and the Smurfs be able to save their friend, or will Gargamel finally destroy the Smurfs once and for all?!

With the recent return of The Smurfs TV show on Nickelodeon for Season 2, and November 2022 release of The Smurfs Kart, a new video game for Nintendo Switch, the Smurf’s 65th year is gearing up to be a landmark year for the Smurfs, and Papercutz is pleased to join in with this landmark augmented reality FCBD release.

The UN Teams with The Smurfs for The International Day of Happiness

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smurfs-startThe United Nations Foundation is teaming up with the Smurfs for a smurftastic program called “Small Smurfs Big Goals” to help promote The International Day of Happiness which takes place March 20.

The day of celebration began in 2013 as a “way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of human beings around the world. The day is also a good opportunity to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals, a global plan of action that, if achieved, will lead to the well-being of all people. These 17 interlinked goals, adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations, protect our people and our planet so that everyone, no matter where they live, can live their happiest lives.”

The Smurfs will help promote the plan to protect all people and the environment through the 17 goals listed below:

  1. No Poverty – End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  2. Zero Hunger – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  3. Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  4. Quality Education – Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
  5. Gender Equality – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  10. Reduced Inequalities – Reduce inequality within and among countries
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities – Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  13. Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  14. Life Below Water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
  15. Life on Land – Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  17. Partnership for the Goals – Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The Smurfs is a Belgian comic franchise created in 1958 by the writer/artist Peyo.

This is the second comic book characters the United Nations has teamed up with in the last year to help promote a program of theirs. In October 2016 the United Nations designated Wonder Woman as an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. In March 2016, Red from Angry Birds was appointed Honorary Ambassador for Green for last year’s International Day of Happiness. The United Nations was criticized for the Wonder Woman appointment, but nary a mention from individuals about Red or the Smurfs…

You can click to watch the advertisement being run now to promote the team-up below.

Kicking Off Euro Thursday

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tintin-mainsupportingcharactersFor our first Euro Thursday, I’ve debated for a few weeks as to exactly what I’d like to do. I was thinking I’d keep it simple and just do a review or two… but why make things simple? Thinking through the long term I came to a realization that other than receiving review copies from publishers like Titan Comics or Humanoids (and a few others) I really have no idea about European comics, so I should probably learn to better inform me going forward.

So what defines a “European com” beyond where it’s been created?

First, as I’ve noticed in a few physical copies I get that the format of the comics is a bit different. The product itself is 8.4 inches x11.6 inches which differs from the standard “American” size of 6.63 inches x 10.25 inches. Ok, they’re bigger. They’re also bigger in length as they tend to be 40-60 pages and 100+ pages is common again compared to the “American” 22 page comic. So they’re longer too.

The roots of European comics go far back to the 18th century caricatures and illustrated pictured books. In Scout McCloud’s Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art he states that early 19th century Swiss artist Rodolphe Töpffer is regarded as the “father of modern comics” by many and Töpffer’s Histoire de M. Vieux Bois is sometimes called the first “comic book.”

But, there’s not really one “European comic.” In reality, the term as a whole is made up of various scenes and locations scattered across the continent. Primarily dominated by Franco-Belgian comics, Belgian comics, Spanish comics, and Italian comics, there’s also British comics (which I as an American probably have the most familiarity with), Czech comics, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, and Spanish! That’s a lot of different types of comics… did I bite off more than I can chew with this!?

The most famous Franco-Belgian comics are probably Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo and The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé, and The Smurfs by Peyo. Known as bandes dessinées or BDs in French and “strips” in Dutch, these are primarily for Belgian and French audiences. There’s also Flemish Belgian comics which have their own style.

Belgian comics took off in the 1920s and in 2000 40 million comics were printed in Belgium each year with 75% of those exported. That’s a lot of comics!

The influence of British comics and creators in America could fill a column on its own. 2000 AD, Action Man, Andy Capp, Doctor Who, Judge Dredd, are just a few off the top of my head I could name. The history goes back to the 19th century, so there’s a lot to cover in future columns.

The rest, I can honestly say I know little about and am looking forward to exploring more, the point of all of this!

Now, here’s a question to you all, where should I start? What would you like to see? What should I review? Sound off in the comments!

NBM: January 2011 Solicitations

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Official Press Release

NBM

Here’s what we’ve got planned for January. Unfortunately, as far as ordering these through your comic bookstore goes, it gets tricky: Diamond distributors decided NOT to carry these banded specially priced sets!

SO, that means you can only get them through us and some comic stores who order directly from us (ask them)! Here goes:

BIGGER NOTHINGS:
THE LITTLE NOTHINGS SET Vols. 1-3
Lewis TRONDHEIM
Now in a specially priced banded set of the 3 volumes, Trondheim’s popular little slice of life vignettes are collected together. “It’s very gently funny but splendidly assured and evocative of place — if a friend had drawn you a page of it as a letter, you’d treasure it forever” said The New York Times Book Review of this strip.
3 volumes banded together, 6×9, 384 pp., full color trade pbs with flaps, $39.99 (normally $45), ISBN 978-1-56163-599-3

see previews

ORDINARY VICTORIES SET
Manu LARCENET
One of the most acclaimed graphic novels of the decade is now available in a specially priced banded set of the 2 volumes. This is the story of Marc, a photographer who’s tired, of a very patient chick he meets, of banal horrors and of his pain-in-the-neck cat.
It’s the story of his art thrown against heavy anxiety attacks; of a really cute woman in his small town who seems to take to him against all odds; of the old neighbor, a peaceful likable fellah until you get to know his disturbing role in the war…
Called one of five best graphic novels by TIME magazine on its release, it was also a Booklist top 10 graphic novel of the year: “Superb marriage of literary realism and comics.” “Like any great work of art, it is possible to hold the pages up and through them, see the world” said Comic Book Resources.
2 volume set banded together, 61/2 x 9, 248 pp, full color trade pbs, $29.99 (normally $32),
ISBN 978-1-56163-600-6

see previews

And from Eurotica, this one comics stores will be able to order through Diamond:

OMAHA The Cat Dancer, set of vols. 1-7
Reed WALLER, Kate WORLEY
Now’s your chance to own the entire run of this best-selling classic of comics erotica at a very special price. Omaha is remarkable in that it blends intelligent and captivating story with well-rounded funny animal characters as well as totally guilt-free joyously rendered sex!
Bundled set of 7 volumes, 8 1/2×11, B&W, trade pbs., 816 pp., $75 (normally over $90!) ISBN 978-1-56163-601-3

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Meanwhile, back at Papercutz (all of these available through Diamond):

THE SMURFS #4 “The Smurfette”
Peyo – writer and artist/ Yvan Delporte – writer
For the first time in the Papercutz SMURFS graphic novels, the one and only Smurfette makes her dramatic debut! Here’s the original comics story that introduced her to the world. Where she comes from and how she first appeared may surprise her many fans! What sinister role did the wicked Gargamel play in her arrival? And how did Papa Smurf get involved in a way that would change Smurfette forever? This is the story Smurf fans have been waiting for!
6x 9, 64pp., full color paperback: $5.99, ISBN: 978-1-59707-236-6
Also in collector’s hardcover: $10.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-237-3

GERONIMO STILTON  #7 “Dinosaurs in Action”
By Geronimo Stilton
The Pirate Cats have had their plans foiled by Geronimo Stilton time and time again, due to the help from Geronimo’s friend Professor Volt. The Pirate Cats decide to better their odds by getting rid of Professor Volt, kidnapping him and leaving him in the Cretaceous Period – a time when the earth was occupied by dinosaurs! Geronimo and his friends must travel back in time 140 million years to save Professor Volt from literally becoming a part of history!
6½ x 9, 56pp., full color hardcover: $9.99
ISBN: 978-1-59707-239-7

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED  #12 “The Island of Dr. Moreau”
By H.G. Wells
Adapted by Steven Grant and Eric Vincent
One of H.G. Wells’s most visionary tales, “The Island of Dr. Moreau” relates the disturbing tale of Pendrick, a shipwrecked naturalist who unwittingly discovers a horrific scientific and social experiment that is creating a mutant race of hideous creatures, half-human and half-beast. Terrifying and spellbinding, Wells’ masterpiece warns of the catastrophe that could result when man recklessly tampers with nature. Eric Vincent’s artwork vividly summons up the nightmarish life in Dr. Moreau’s tortured world.
6½  x 9, 56pp,. full-color hardcover: $9.99
ISBN 978-1-59707-235-9

NBM: November 2010 Solicitations – De Crecy is back!

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Official Press Release

NBM

Solicited for now in comics stores, after his greatly successful Glacial Period in the Louvre collection, we publish Nicolas De Crecy’s very off the wall Salvatore series:

SALVATORE
Vol. 1: Transports of Love
Nicolas De Crecy
The best-selling and acclaimed author of ‘Glacial Period’ in the Louvre collection returns with a new series starring a dog auto repair mechanic so in demand, he can afford to move his garage to a distant hard-to-reach peak for peace and… privacy. The privacy, as it turns out, is to build a mode of transportation that can get him through earth and seas to his beloved, far, far away. As unpredictable and totally original as ‘Glacial Period,’ this is a Plymptonesque tale filled with absurd, irresistible bittersweet humor.
61/2 x 9, 104pp, full color trade pb.: $14.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-593-1

see previews.

EUROTICA, meantime, offers two new items:

CASA HOWHARD, Vol. 5
Roberto BALDAZZINI
The train can be quite an erotic experience, the getaway, the sensual bounce, the vibrations… our lady-men cannot but succumb to the delights of the trip along with anyone willing to ride with them… includes a sweet wink at x-rated manga in a dream… Campy fun with quite a twist as only Baldazzini can deliver!
81/2 x 11, 48pp, full color trade pb.: $11.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-598-6

SIZZLE # 48
Peanut Butter’s latest romp continues along with Zanier’s Banana Games, Kevin Taylor’s Girl, Barbarian Chicks & Demons, a more generous helping of Omaha; hey, all our best-sellers in one affordable mag!
81/2x11, 64 pp., B&W quarterly magazine, $5.95

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Over at PAPERCUTZ, another Smurfs and a really good one:

THE SMURFS vol.3 “The Smurf King”
By Peyo, artist & writer
Yvan Delporte, writer

When Papa Smurf leaves the Smurf Village in search of a rare herb, the Smurfs are left without their leader. The Smurfs decide to vote for a new leader while Papa Smurf is gone, but each Smurf votes for himself! When one Smurf defeats Brainy Smurf in a second election, he declares himself KING Smurf, ruler of all of Smurf Village! Can these Smurfs get their act together? Or will King Smurf run his ‘Empire’ straight into the ground?

61/2 x 9, 56 pages, full-color.
$5.99 PB, $10.99 HC
PB ISBN: 978-1-59707-224-3
HC ISBN: 978-1-59707-225-0

see previews

and also from Classics Illustrated:

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED #11
“The Devil’s Dictionary and Other Works”
By Ambrose Bierce
Illustrated by Gahan Wilson
Ambrose Bierce’s 1911 satire is illustrated with the surreal and macabre art of famed New Yorker cartoonist Gahan Wilson, creating a funny yet poignant presentation. Switching seamlessly from illustration to full-color comics to adapt The Boarded Window, Dead, and An Imperfect Conflagration, Wilson brings his signature dark humor to Bierce’s work.

61/2x 9, 56pp,. full-color hardcover: $9.99,
ISBN 978-1-59707-223-6

see previews

NBM: August 2010 Solicitations

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Official Press Release

NBM

Our main release this month is an intense psychological thriller with Orson Welles’ famous radio dramatization of The War of the Worlds as background:

THE BROADCAST
Eric Hobbs • Noel Tuazon
On the day of the historic broadcast of The War of the Worlds by Orson Welles which triggered panic in many places it sounded so real, a family in the countryside fears for its life and also has to deal with strangers and neighbors coming in for help. The tension brings to the surface long suppressed emotions and conflicts and a violent reckoning in a dark stormy night.
6×9, 180pp., B&W, trade pb.: $13.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-590-0

See previews. You might remember Noel Tuazon from ‘Elk’s Run’ published by Villard.

Also from Eurotica:

SIZZLE #47
Banana Games makes its long-awaited return, by Christian Zanier. This star-studded issue also has Kevin Taylor’s Girl, Peanut Butter, Kristina Queen of Vampires, and Omaha the Cat Dancer!
Quarterly magazine, 81/2 x 11, 64pp., b&w: $5.95

AND NOTE: we’ve got all the rest of the year’s books posted up now, so you can see all of the goodies we’ve got planned for 2009!

All of this being solicited at your comic bookstore now or you can order from us online.

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Meantime, over at Papercutz, we’re busy launching Smurfs graphic novels! What most people don’t realize is that it all started with these classic comics by a Belgian giant, Peyo. We’ve got a $1 comic book coming to stores in July as well as the San Diego comic-con and the books start coming out in earnest in August/September.

You may have heard: a mixed live action/animated movie is in principal photography with Sony/Columbia to come out in August of 2011…

All of this being solicited at your comic bookstore now or you can order from NBM.