ALAN DAVIS ON FANTASTIC FOUR

press release:
THE MARVEL UNIVERSE IS HIS PLAYGROUND! ARTIST ALAN DAVIS SWITCHES GEARS & BRINGS HIS UNCANNY TALENTS TO A FANTASTIC FOUR LIMITED SERIES!

There’s good news and there’s bad news: the bad news is that super-star artist Alan Davis is leaving UNCANNY X-MEN…the good news is that he’s sealing the fates of the Fantastic Four instead!

Heading into a new, shiny future means leaving the group of heroes Davis has enjoyed working with so thoroughly, fan-favorites The X-Men. Alas, the artist puts his patented bright face on the whys and wherefores of the move. “I was playing Scrabble with my Uncle Xander when his pet hamster leapt onto the board and kicked the tiles around. It was weird . . . the letters were rearranged and spelt out 'UNC X QUIT NOW'.

Well, Uncle Xander's pretty self-centered so thought the hamster intended the message for him but I knew it was for me... And you just can't ignore that kind of advice from a literate hamster.”

What is that shiny future, though? What could Alan Davis do to top Wolverine, Cyclops, & Co.? “FANTASTIC FOUR: THE END. Nuff said,” he reports, with appropriate finality. “I'm pretty damn excited about getting to draw the FF again.”Davis is no stranger to dynamic projects in the larger-than-life super-heroic world, having kept up an incredible artistic pace through his professional career, beginning in 1981 with the famous “Marvel UK” imprint of the House of Ideas. He has since gone on to explore every single corner of the Marvel stable of characters and he has gathered a résumé to make others in the comic field green with envy. Davis’ past projects include NEW MUTANTS, EXCALIBUR, UNCANNY X-MEN, CLANDESTINE, FANTASTIC FOUR, AVENGERS, and the adjective-less X-MEN.“Alan Davis has worked on the entire freakin’ Marvel U!” quips Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. “He’s probably drawn every single one of our characters, from Ant-Man to Zemo and all parts in-between! Figured he liked us so much we better keep him around, keep him off the streets, livin’ clean, working on our premier heroes, the FF, and give somebody else a chance to draw UNCANNY…now if we could only get Alan to stop talking so funny!”

He may talk “funny” but British Isles-born Davis is also characteristically humble about his past work in the four-color medium. “There are odd pages, covers, sequences of storytelling but I've never been totally happy with anything I have worked on. I always hope the next job will be better.”

His inspirations in terms of themes and creators are also incredibly varied. “My favourite character(s) is(are) usually the one(s) I'm working on, having said that, I do have a preference for certain visual incarnations or versions of characters. Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four, Wally Wood or Gene Colan's Daredevil, Gil Kane's Spider-Man, George Tuska's Iron Man, Barry Smith's Conan, John Buscema's Thor, Avengers and Silver Surfer, Neal Adams’ Inhumans and early X-Men and John Byrne on too much to mention.”When asked what being exclusive with industry-leader Marvel Comics means to him, prolific penciller Alan Davis doesn’t mince words: “Regular work in an uncertain world,” sayeth he. All the latest on Alan Davis’ new good works and other upcoming Marvel Comics projects can always be found at www.Marvel.Com .


With a library of over 5,000 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, comic book publishing and toys (Toy Biz). Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD/home video, video games and television based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters and plot lines are created by its comic book division which continues to expand its l

VAN SCIVER & FFF RAISE $ for MAKE-A-WISH

press release:
Ethan Van Sciver And Famous Faces & Funnies Raise $550 For Make-A-Wish Foundation

On Saturday, May 21, Ethan Van Sciver showed up at Famous Faces & Funnies in Melbourne, Florida to sign comic books and sketch for his fans. He was kind enough to donate an amazing piece of art featuring Hal Jordan that FFF sold raffle tickets for. All the money from the raffle as well as one dollar from each Green Lantern Rebirth # 6 and Green Lantern Secret Files we sold this month is going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Together we were able to raise $550 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Please check out www.Wish.org for more info. Thanks to all our customers who stopped by and made the generous donations and thanks again to Ethan Van Sciver for going above and beyond our expectations.

Rick Shea
Famous Faces & Funnies
Melbourne, FL

ALAN MOORE MOVES LEAGUE TO TOP SHELF

press release:
Lying In The Gutters Returns As Comic Book Journalism With Major Alan Moore News For years, Rich Johnston of Lying In The Gutters has claimed he was a rumour columnist, not a journalist.

But after the birth of his firstchild, he's changed his mind.

For six weeks he's running Lying In The Gutters (http://litg.comicbookresources.com) as a piece of comic book journalism before allowing readers to vote on its future.

And in his first column, he reports:

Alan Moore dissassociating himself from the V For Vendetta movie Moore pulling League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen from DC to Top Shelf/Knockabout Alan Moore's new novel, JerusalemAlan Moore and Melina Gebbie's engagement

Oh, and the creative team on IDW's Transformers series.

Rich Johnston intends to continue LITG in this style as long as his readers let him...

NAVARRE ACQUIRES FUNimation

press release:

NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -May 11, 2005 - Navarre Corporation, a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products, today announced that it has acquired all general and limited partnership interests in FUNimation Productions, Ltd. and The FUNimation Store, Ltd.

FUNimation, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is recognized as a leading licensor and home video distributor of Japanese animation and entertainment for children and young adults. FUNimation titles include Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Yu Yu Hakusho, Case Closed and Fullmetal Alchemist. FUNimation has enjoyed broadcast success with 15 titles currently airing on networks including Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. FUNimation leverages its proprietary licensed content into various revenue streams including television broadcast, DVD home video, toys, video games, and trading cards. In addition to the home video distribution and third-party licensing, FUNimation also engages in third-party marketing, sales and distribution agreements with content providers, including 4Kids Entertainment Inc., Nelvana, Alliance Atlantis, Chorion, WGBH, Cookie Jar Group, Porchlight Entertainment and Mainframe Entertainment. Since January 1, 2005, FUNimation has signed product license agreements including Noddy, Winx, Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7, My Dad the Rock Star, and a co-production agreement with sports icon Tony Hawk.

For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, FUNimation's audited results included net sales of $63.7 million, $81.6 million and $72.4 million, respectively, and pre-tax income of $24.9 million, $30.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively.

Eric Paulson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The acquisition of FUNimation is an exciting transaction for everyone involved - our customers, our two companies and Navarre's shareholders. The FUNimation transaction validates Navarre's corporate strategy, which focuses on continued growth and content ownership through licensing while continuing to leverage our distribution assets." Mr. Paulson continues, "FUNimation brings a wide assortment of high profile brands, combining home video distribution with exciting broadcast and third-party licensing opportunities. Their relationships with content owners, coupled with their brand development skills provide great opportunities across our entire enterprise. Gen Fukunaga and Daniel Cocanougher, the President and Executive Vice President of FUNimation respectively, add additional depth to Navarre's overall management team and we look forward to their ongoing contribution."

Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation Productions Ltd stated, "We are very excited to join the Navarre family. FUNimation will benefit from Navarre's state-of-the-art retail distribution capabilities and Navarre offers FUNimation a capital structure to pursue new product opportunities and business initiatives."

Under the terms of the acquisition, Navarre acquired all general and limited partnership interests of FUNimation for approximately $100,400,000 in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments not to exceed $5.0 million, plus 1,827,486 shares of unregistered Navarre common stock, subject to certain registration rights. Additionally, the sellers could receive up to $17,000,000 in cash to be paid over five-years if FUNimation achieves certain agreed-upon financial targets during that period.

To complete the FUNimation acquisition, Navarre entered into a $165 million credit facility with GE Commercial Finance. This credit facility amends the Company's previously existing lines of credit with GE Commercial Finance. Under this credit facility the Company entered into both a six-year $140 million Term Loan B sub-facility and a five-year revolving sub-facility for up to $25 million. The credit facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Navarre's assets. This facility is prepayable at any time, at the Company's option.
The entire $140 million of the Term Loan B sub-facility was drawn by the Company at closing to finance the initial cash portion of the FUNimation acquisition and associated expenses, with the remaining balance placed into cash reserves for general corporate purposes. The revolving sub-facility will be available to the Company for its working capital and general corporate needs and at the time of closing was undrawn.

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. acted as financial advisor to Navarre Corporation in connection with the transaction, and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. acted as financial advisor to FUNimation.

Fiscal Year 2005 and Fourth Quarter Financial Update
With the previously-announced agreement to purchase the remaining twenty percent (20%) ownership interest of its subsidiary Encore Software from Mike Bell, Navarre will recognize approximately $5.8 million of compensation expense in the recently completed fourth quarter of its 2005 fiscal year. In addition, Navarre will realize approximately $600,000 of expenses related to the FUNimation acquisition and an approximate $700,000 of expenses spent on preparation for Sarbanes Oxley compliance in the fourth quarter that ended March 31, 2005. Due to the above-mentioned items the Company anticipates negative earnings for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2005. Based on preliminary figures the Company also anticipates reporting fiscal year 2005 net sales of approximately $600 million. Additionally, the Company's balance sheet as of March 31, 2005 is anticipated to show approximately $15.0 million in cash, $39.0 million in inventory, $95.0 million in net accounts receivable, $96.0 in accounts payable and that the company was operating without bank debt.


Fiscal Year 2006 Guidance
The company expects the FUNimation transaction to be accretive to its fiscal year 2006 results. FUNimation will contribute approximately 10 months worth of operations to Navarre's fiscal year 2006 consolidated financial results. With the consolidation of FUNimation, the company anticipates fiscal 2006 net sales to be between $710 million to $720 million. After anticipated costs related to the FUNimation integration the Company anticipates fiscal 2006 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") to be between $40 million and $45 million or $1.26 to $1.42 of EBITDA per share fully diluted.


About Navarre Corporation
Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR) is a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has recently expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc. and BCI Eclipse Company, LLC. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.navarre.com

Safe Harbor
The statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by these sections. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and the actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the Company's revenues being derived from a small group of customers; the Company's dependence on significant vendors; the Company's dependence upon software developers and manufacturers and popularity of their products; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its exclusive distribution business through agreements with music labels; the Company's dependence upon a key employee and its Founder, namely, Eric H. Paulson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified management personnel; uncertain growth in the publishing segment; the acquisition strategy of the Company, including the successful integration of FUNimation, could disrupt other business segments and/or management; the seasonality and variability in the Company's business and that decreased sales during peak season could adversely affect its results of operations; the Company's ability to meet its significant working capital requirements related to distributing products and financing accounts receivable; the Company's ability to avoid excessive inventory return and obsolescence losses; the potential for inventory values to decline; the Company's credit exposure due to reseller arrangements or negative trends which could cause credit loss; the Company's ability to adequately and timely adjust cost structure for decreased demand; the Company's ability to compete effectively in distribution and publishing, which are highly competitive industries; the Company's dependence on third-party shipping of its product; the Company's dependence on information systems; technological developments, particularly in the electronic downloading arena which could adversely impact sales, margins and results of operations; increased counterfeiting or piracy which could negatively affect demand for the Company's products; the Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property; interruption of the Company's business or catastrophic loss at a facility which could curtail or shutdown its business; the potential for future terrorist activities to disrupt operations or harm assets; significant Company stock volatility; the exercise of outstanding warrants and options adversely affecting stock price; the Company's anti-takeover provision, its ability to issue preferred stock and its staggered board may discourage take-over attempts beneficial to shareholders; because the Company does not intend to pay dividends, stock appreciation may yield the only return on an investment in Company stock; and the Company's directors may not be personally liable for certain actions which may discourage shareholder suits against them. A detailed statement of risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in particular the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. The Company can offer no assurances that any projections, assumptions or forecasts made or discussed in this release, "NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE", dated May 11, 2005, will be met, and investors should understand the risks of investing solely due to such projections. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

SUPERMAN #214 SELLS OUT AT DC COMICS

Continuing its run of sold-out issues, SUPERMAN #214 has sold out at DC Comics. This issue featured the suspenseful penultimate chapter of the "For Tomorrow" storyline by Brian Azzarello, Jim Lee & Scott Williams.

"Both writer Brian Azzarello and I put in a lot of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears into this project, so it's been especially gratifying to see the excitement for SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW build with each consecutive issue," says Lee. "Our hope has always been to challenge readers' perceptions of the Man of Steel while giving them an entertaining story, so I thank the fans and the retailers for their continued support and enthusiasm."

Check out what's happening n the superman titles here.

NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE

press release:

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Navarre Corporation, a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products, today announced that it has acquired all general and limited partnership interests in FUNimation Productions, Ltd. and The FUNimation Store, Ltd. FUNimation, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is recognized as a leading licensor and home video distributor of Japanese animation and entertainment for children and young adults. FUNimation titles include Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Yu Yu Hakusho, Case Closed and Fullmetal Alchemist. FUNimation has enjoyed broadcast success with 15 titles currently airing on networks including Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids.

FUNimation leverages its proprietary licensed content into various revenue streams including television broadcast, DVD home video, toys, video games, and trading cards. In addition to the home video distribution and third-party licensing, FUNimation also engages in third-party marketing, sales and distribution agreements with content providers, including 4Kids Entertainment Inc., Nelvana, Alliance Atlantis, Chorion, WGBH, Cookie Jar Group, Porchlight Entertainment and Mainframe Entertainment. Since January 1, 2005, FUNimation has signed product license agreements including Noddy, Winx, Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7, My Dad the Rock Star, and a co-production agreement with sports icon Tony Hawk.

For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, FUNimation's audited results included net sales of $63.7 million, $81.6 million and $72.4 million, respectively, and pre-tax income of $24.9 million, $30.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively.
Eric Paulson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The acquisition of FUNimation is an exciting transaction for everyone involved - our customers, our two companies and Navarre's shareholders. The FUNimation transaction validates Navarre's corporate strategy, which focuses on continued growth and content ownership through licensing while continuing to leverage our distribution assets." Mr. Paulson continues, "FUNimation brings a wide assortment of high profile brands, combining home video distribution with exciting broadcast and third-party licensing opportunities. Their relationships with content owners, coupled with their brand development skills provide great opportunities across our entire enterprise. Gen Fukunaga and Daniel Cocanougher, the President and Executive Vice President of FUNimation respectively, add additional depth to Navarre's overall management team and we look forward to their ongoing contribution."

Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation Productions Ltd stated, "We are very excited to join the Navarre family. FUNimation will benefit from Navarre's state-of-the-art retail distribution capabilities and Navarre offers FUNimation a capital structure to pursue new product opportunities and business initiatives."
Under the terms of the acquisition, Navarre acquired all general and limited partnership interests of FUNimation for approximately $100,400,000 in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments not to exceed $5.0 million, plus 1,827,486 shares of unregistered Navarre common stock, subject to certain registration rights. Additionally, the sellers could receive up to $17,000,000 in cash to be paid over five-years if FUNimation achieves certain agreed-upon financial targets during that period.

To complete the FUNimation acquisition, Navarre entered into a $165 million credit facility with GE Commercial Finance. This credit facility amends the Company's previously existing lines of credit with GE Commercial Finance. Under this credit facility the Company entered into both a six-year $140 million Term Loan B sub-facility and a five-year revolving sub-facility for up to $25 million. The credit facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Navarre's assets. This facility is prepayable at any time, at the Company's option.
The entire $140 million of the Term Loan B sub-facility was drawn by the Company at closing to finance the initial cash portion of the FUNimation acquisition and associated expenses, with the remaining balance placed into cash reserves for general corporate purposes. The revolving sub-facility will be available to the Company for its working capital and general corporate needs and at the time of closing was undrawn.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. acted as financial advisor to Navarre Corporation in connection with the transaction, and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. acted as financial advisor to FUNimation.

Fiscal Year 2005 and Fourth Quarter Financial Update
With the previously-announced agreement to purchase the remaining twenty percent (20%) ownership interest of its subsidiary Encore Software from Mike Bell, Navarre will recognize approximately $5.8 million of compensation expense in the recently completed fourth quarter of its 2005 fiscal year. In addition, Navarre will realize approximately $600,000 of expenses related to the FUNimation acquisition and an approximate $700,000 of expenses spent on preparation for Sarbanes Oxley compliance in the fourth quarter that ended March 31, 2005. Due to the above-mentioned items the Company anticipates negative earnings for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2005. Based on preliminary figures the Company also anticipates reporting fiscal year 2005 net sales of approximately $600 million. Additionally, the Company's balance sheet as of March 31, 2005 is anticipated to show approximately $15.0 million in cash, $39.0 million in inventory, $95.0 million in net accounts receivable, $96.0 in accounts payable and that the company was operating without bank debt.


Fiscal Year 2006 Guidance
The company expects the FUNimation transaction to be accretive to its fiscal year 2006 results. FUNimation will contribute approximately 10 months worth of operations to Navarre's fiscal year 2006 consolidated financial results. With the consolidation of FUNimation, the company anticipates fiscal 2006 net sales to be between $710 million to $720 million. After anticipated costs related to the FUNimation integration the Company anticipates fiscal 2006 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") to be between $40 million and $45 million or $1.26 to $1.42 of EBITDA per share fully diluted.


About Navarre Corporation
Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR) is a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has recently expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc. and BCI Eclipse Company, LLC. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.navarre.com

Safe Harbor
The statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by these sections. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and the actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the Company's revenues being derived from a small group of customers; the Company's dependence on significant vendors; the Company's dependence upon software developers and manufacturers and popularity of their products; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its exclusive distribution business through agreements with music labels; the Company's dependence upon a key employee and its Founder, namely, Eric H. Paulson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified management personnel; uncertain growth in the publishing segment; the acquisition strategy of the Company, including the successful integration of FUNimation, could disrupt other business segments and/or management; the seasonality and variability in the Company's business and that decreased sales during peak season could adversely affect its results of operations; the Company's ability to meet its significant working capital requirements related to distributing products and financing accounts receivable; the Company's ability to avoid excessive inventory return and obsolescence losses; the potential for inventory values to decline; the Company's credit exposure due to reseller arrangements or negative trends which could cause credit loss; the Company's ability to adequately and timely adjust cost structure for decreased demand; the Company's ability to compete effectively in distribution and publishing, which are highly competitive industries; the Company's dependence on third-party shipping of its product; the Company's dependence on information systems; technological developments, particularly in the electronic downloading arena which could adversely impact sales, margins and results of operations; increased counterfeiting or piracy which could negatively affect demand for the Company's products; the Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property; interruption of the Company's business or catastrophic loss at a facility which could curtail or shutdown its business; the potential for future terrorist activities to disrupt operations or harm assets; significant Company stock volatility; the exercise of outstanding warrants and options adversely affecting stock price; the Company's anti-takeover provision, its ability to issue preferred stock and its staggered board may discourage take-over attempts beneficial to shareholders; because the Company does not intend to pay dividends, stock appreciation may yield the only return on an investment in Company stock; and the Company's directors may not be personally liable for certain actions which may discourage shareholder suits against them. A detailed statement of risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in particular the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. Investors and shareholders are urged to read this document carefully. The Company can offer no assurances that any projections, assumptions or forecasts made or discussed in this release, "NAVARRE CORPORATION ACQUIRES FUNIMATION, AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL UPDATE AND GUIDANCE", dated May 11, 2005, will be met, and investors should understand the risks of investing solely due to such projections. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AVAILABLE ON PSP

press release:
PSPcmx.com, the premier licensed comic book online portal, has announced their official release of the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears Volume 1. With the first three issues of the acclaimed Lions, Tigers and Bears mini-series from Image Comics sold out, this will provide millions of PSP users with their first opportunity to enter the world of the Stuffed Animal Kingdom.

"We’re extremely overjoyed that so early in PSPcmx.com’s launch we’re able to offer Lions, Tigers and Bears to the PSP audience! When I tell you this series is written with sensitivity and adventure and drawn in a captivating animated style, it isn’t just because I am part of the original comic book team – but as a comic fan, it is a style of book that I’ve waited all my life to read!" said Dave Lanphear, co-founder of PSPcmx.com. "Lions, Tigers and Bears is terrific all-ages reading!"

Lanphear’s twenty years of award-winning print production experience, accentuated with his decade long emphasis on pure digital production and his strong, personal ties to the comic industry through his studio Artmonkeys.com, has opened a large library of comic book properties for PSPcmx™.

"I’d heard Dave raving about Lions, Tigers and Bears earlier in the year, and he lavished a lot of time on the books," recalls PSPcmx.com’s other co-founder Gabo Mendoza. "When I saw the online version, it was my first time seeing the books, and it’s nothing short of a blockbuster animated film and fun video-game brought to life as a comic book! I was blown away!" Mendoza is best known by his first name, Gabo of Gabocorp.com. Since 1997, Gabo has been lavished with international acclaim for his revolutionary vision and online exhibitions of cutting edge web and media development.

"When we were approached by PSPcmx to put the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears out on the PSP, the only thing I could think of was just how utterly cool this is," exclaimed Mike Bullock, creator and writer of the critically acclaimed comic book series. "I’ve been a fan of the Playstation since the first time I ever laid eyes on a Twisted Metal commercial on television and to be able to look at the gorgeous artwork Jack Lawrence created for Lions, Tigers and Bears on a Playstation console is just unbelievable!"

PSPcmx.com will roll out the first issue of Lions, Tigers and Bears over two downloads, keeping file sizes optimally small and quick. The first download, Lions, Tigers & Bears 1A, is online now and can be downloaded directly from the site at www.pspcmx.com. The update for Lions, Tigers & Bears 1B will be available May 25th 2005.

For fans of either the PSP or Lions, Tigers and Bears this couldn’t come at a better time, with the recent announcement of the 112-page Lions, Tigers and Bears trade paperback, collecting the entire mini-series and made available through comic book retailers and book sellers worldwide in July from Alias Entertainment and Runemaster Studios, Inc.

JUGHEAD, BINGO RELATED

Classic character Bingo Wilkin and Jughead Jones share an Uncle Herman, it will be revealed in Jughead & Friends #5 in August from Archie Comics.
In a change only hardcore Archie fans might have noticed, Riverdale regular Jughead Jones had a jovial Uncle Herman. A few years later, Bingo Wilkin had his own Uncle Herman -- who was identical to Jughead's.

"It was just one of those things that we switched around at the time," said Victor Gorelick, Managing Editor for Archie Comic Publications. "Bingo needed an uncle, and we had already created Herman."

But in a rare move to bring two usually separate Archie properties together with a dash of continuity, Archie will reveal the true, previously unheard of link between Bingo and Hughead.
"The idea was something we just tossed around casually," said Nelson Ribeiro, ACP's Digest Editor. "But the more we talked about it, the more it seemed like a fun idea to try. Mainly to create a good story, but also as a wink to longtime fans."

Bingo Wilkin, "That Wilkin Boy," first appeared in That Wilkin Boy #1 in January 1969.

2,000 Visits & Counting...

Yesterday, the New Comics Universe Blog reached 2,000 visits & I want to say thank you to everyone who ever came to my blog. I'm kinda amazed that it would reach such a high number in less than 2 months, but I'll keep up the hard work of keeping everyone up to date on the comics world. Comics Universe Blog will be mainly devoted to movie & video game news relating to comics. This blog will mostly consist of press releases & TV previews. The newest blog on the block, Comics Impulse will have all of that & more, usually the most fresh news there is. Thanks again for visiting & hopefully if you haven't before, you'll take a look at the other 2 blogs.

RedSpyda

DC COMICS STAFF AND FREELANCERS GEAR UP FOR WIZARD WORLD PHILADELPHIA

On June 3, members of the DC Comics staff and freelance community will greet the public at Wizard World Philadelphia! DC freelancers scheduled to be at Wizard World Philadelphia include:
• Scott Beatty (BATMAN BEGINS MOVIE ADAPTATION, SON OF VULCAN)
• Tommy Castillo (DETECTIVE COMICS)
• Amanda Conner (JSA: CLASSIFIED, BATGIRL covers)
• Justin Gray (HAWKMAN, JONAH HEX, TWILIGHT EXPERIMENT)
• Jamal Igle (FIRESTORM)
• John Lucas (DETECTIVE COMICS)
• Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW)
• Bruce Jones (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW)
• J.G. Jones (WONDER WOMAN covers)
• Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS, WONDER WOMAN)
• Jimmy Palmiotti (HAWKMAN, JONAH HEX, TWILIGHT EXPERIMENT)
• Michael Turner (IDENTITY CRISIS covers)
• Walter Simonson (DAY OF VENGEANCE covers, ELRIC: THE MAKING OF A SORCERER)
• Ethan van Sciver (GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH)

From DC's Editorial staff, Shelly Bond, Group Editor — VERTIGO and Dan DiDio, VP — Executive Editor, DCU, are scheduled to attend.

Paula Lowitt, Senior VP — Business & Legal Affairs, is scheduled to be at the show, as are Terri Cunningham, VP — Managing Editor, Ronald Perazza, Director — Creative Services, and Kevin Kiniry, Manager — Licensing.

DC's Sales & Marketing staff will be at the show as well, including Bob Wayne, VP — Sales, Patricia Jeres, Director — Marketing Communications, Vince Letterio, Manager — Direct Sales, Stuart Schreck, Administrator, Direct Sales, and Vinnie Costa, Representative, Events & Retailer Services.

See more information here

MoCCA ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2005 COMIC COURSES

press release:

MoCCA ANNOUNCES SUMMER EDUCATION COURSES FOR 2005

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art is proud to announce its inaugural Summer Education Course series for 2005.

“This is our way of introducing people to the art of comics and enabling them to gain the skills they need to become part of the comics world,” said Lawrence Klein, Founder and Chairman of MoCCA. “We are proud of our new summer program and are confident that it will benefit our community.”

The first ever program will offer courses by well-known comic writers and artists on a variety of topics:

* Breaking Into Comics (Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm – 10 weeks) with Andy Schmidt
* Basic Writing for Comics (Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm – 8 weeks) with Neil Kleid
* A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling (Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm – 6 weeks) with Klaus Janson
* Comic Strips for Beginners (Saturdays, 5:00-7;00 pm – 6 weeks) with Tom Hart
* D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop (Sundays, 5:00-7:00 pm – 5 weeks) with Fly

All classes will be held onsite at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, located on the fourth floor of 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Street). Nearest subways stations are Broadway-Lafayette (B,D,F,V ), Prince Street (W/R), and Bleecker Street (6).

Class size is limited. Enrollment is restricted to MoCCA members until May 11, 2005. General enrollment (for non-members) starts May 12, 2005. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying area youth.

To request a registration form, please call or visit the museum. Completed registration forms should be mailed, faxed or hand-delivered to:

Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art
Attn: MoCCA Summer Education Coordinator
594 Broadway, Suite 401 (4th floor)
New York, NY 10012
Fax: 212- 254- 3590
Phone: 212- 254- 3511

Applications for registration will be processed in the order in which they are received.

For more information about MoCCA Summer Education Courses, please visit the museum website (www.moccany.org).

About MoCCA

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, located at 594 Broadway in SoHo, is the newest addition to New York City’s cultural landscape. A 501(c)(3) non-profit arts education organization dedicated to promoting greater understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art, the Museum celebrates the unique creative achievements of graphic storytelling.

# # #


MOCCA SUMMER EDUCATION COURSES FOR 2005

Breaking Into Comics (Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm – 10 weeks)
Instructor: Andy Schmidt
Date of first class: June 21, 2005
Tuition: $200
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 16 and up
Course Description: Breaking Into Comics

We’re going to cover everything I can cram into this summer course. Essentially, it’s broken down into three categories:
1) The Work. If you look at the comic racks these days, you’re likely to find a wide spectrum of quality. There’s good work out there but also a lot of sub par work. That means there’s room for new talent! I’ll try and get us all the way from story to lettering in 10 weeks. 2) Breaking In. We’ll cover subjects from formatting pitches and scripts, picking the right pages for pencil samples and how to approach editors. 3) Staying Put. This is the hardest part. Once you’ve gotten your first gig, how do you get the second or third? I’ll give you tips and advice on how to roll your first assignment into a career. Shall we begin?

Andy has been editing various projects like Secret War, Defenders and Madrox for the last three years at Marvel Entertainment. He assists Tom Brevoort on the Marvel heroes’ line, which includes New Avengers, Fantastic Four and Young Avengers. Prior to beginning his comics editing career, Andy was a college professor in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned his masters degree in Media Communications and taught classes on Aesthetics, Film and Comics and Sequential Art.


Basic Writing for Comics (Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm – 8 weeks)
Instructor: Neil Kleid
Date of first class: June 22, 2005
Tuition: $160
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 13 to 18
Course Description: Basic Writing for Comics

Know what a splash page is? Ever heard of a springboard? How about plot-style scripting? If none of these terms sit comfortably in your writer’s back pocket like a trusted wallet, then this course is for you.

Writer/cartoonist Neil Kleid leads novice writers on a crash course road trip through the ins and outs of writing for the comic-book industry. Topics covered include plotting, scripting and pitching. By the end of the course, each writer will leave with a short script in hand.

Neil Kleid is the Xeric-winning author of Ninety Candles, a graphic novella about life, fatherhood, comic books and death. His graphic novel about the Jewish Mafia with artist Jake Allen, Brownsville, debuts from NBM Publishing in 2006.

A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling (Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 pm – 6 weeks)
Instructor: Klaus Janson
Date of first class: June 30, 2005
Tuition: $150
Maximum number of students: 12
Age group: 18 to 25
Course Description: A Crash Course on Comic Story-telling

A discussion and presentation of the most preliminary and basic fundamentals required to understand and execute visual story-telling. The importance of clarity as a theory, the page layout, the importance of panel size and shape, composition, creating three dimensions in a two dimensional world and an introduction to working in ink complete this compact introduction to sequential story-telling. Everyone gets a one on one review of their
portfolio. This is a fast roller coaster ride emphasizing the highlights of sequential storytelling theory. Not for the faint of heart.

Klaus Janson has written, penciled, inked and colored a handful of comic books in the last few years. The most recent work is pencils and inks for a nine issue maxi-series, Death and the Maidens with Greg Rucka for DC Comics and inks over John Romita Jr. on Wolverine for Marvel Comics. He authored both DC Comics Guide to Penciling and the sequel, DC Comics Guide to Inking. Klaus teaches a class on story-telling at The School for Visual Arts.

Comic Strips for Beginners (Saturdays, 5:00-7;00 pm – 6 weeks)
Instructor: Tom Hart
Date of first class: June 25, 2005
Tuition: $90
Maximum number of students: 12
Age group: 16 to 25
Course Description: Comic Strips for Beginners

Students in this class will begin by creating comic strip characters and learn to mix and match them with other ideas and techniques to make professional-level comic strips. Penciling, inking and writing will be demonstrated, and classic comic strips will be examined and discussed.

Tom Hart is the creator of the comic book series Hutch Owen, described as “Peanuts for the Post –Enron Generation”. He has released numerous books to critical and audience acclaim, including nominations for the “Eisner”, “Harvey” and two industry “Ignatz” awards. Tom has created a series, Pitch Unger, for a publisher in Japan, been translated into French and Portuguese, and has had his work exhibited in shows from Seattle, Washington to Lubjiana, Slovenia.

D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop (Sundays, 5:00-7:00 pm – 5 weeks)
Instructor: Fly
Date of first class: June 26, 2005
Tuition: $50
Maximum number of students: 15
Age group: 15 and up
Course Description: D.I.Y. Comix and ‘Zine Workshop

Learn to make your own comix from story ideas, sketches and thumbnails to finished product. The workshop will take the student through four steps to creating your own personal photocopied comic book (zine).

Week 1: Introduction of story ideas, thumbnails progressing to finished sketches.
Week 2: Pencils and planning for inks.
Week 3: Inking and planning for paste-ups.
Week 4: Finishing the comic and having it ready to be photocopied.
Week 5: Zine trading party open to all those who attended the workshop and open to the public. Admission will be $5.00 or one zine. Each week will also host a guest speaker.

* * * * * * * * *

On May 21st, 2005, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art will launch a traveling exhibition honoring the life and work of Will Eisner. The exhibit features original artwork spanning Eisner’s long career, including two complete Spirit stories from 1947.

* * * * * * * * *

How to get to MoCCA:
594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince)
Suite 401 (Fourth Floor)
New York City
Tel: 212 254 3511
Fax: 212 254 3590
www.moccany.org
Take B, D, F, V or 6 to B'way-Lafayette Street
Take N, R to Prince Street

MoCCA's hours are Friday through Monday - 12pm till 5pm and by appointment at other times.

TOKYOPOP INTRODUCES JR. CINE-MANGA

press release:
July 2005 Debut Titles Include: My Little Pony: Friends Are Never Far Away; Sesame Street: Happy, Healthy Monsters and Sesame Street: Elmo and Zoe Fly a Kite

TOKYOPOP Inc., pioneers of the innovative and hugely successful Cine-Manga® book format, today announced the launch of a brand-new publishing line, Jr. Cine-Manga books.

Revolutionizing the children's book market, TOKYOPOP’s Jr. Cine-Manga books bring the beloved characters and storylines kids know and cherish straight from the screen to an original exciting visual format. Geared toward readers ages 3 to 6 and individually priced at $3.99, Jr. Cine-Manga books have a 6"X9" trim-size and feature an average of two art panels per page. Complemented by large manga-style text balloons, captions and sound effects, Jr. Cine-Manga books enable younger children to easily make the transition from television to the printed page. Bridging the gap between on-screen entertainment and more traditional children's books, Jr. Cine-Manga books are a natural fit for children who are growing up and learning in an increasingly multimedia world.

The first titles to be released under this exciting new publishing umbrella will be Hasbro’s My Little Pony: Friends Are Never Far Away, under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), Sesame Street: Happy, Healthy Monsters and Sesame Street: Elmo and Zoe Fly a Kite.

According to Elizabeth Hurchalla, Senior Editor, TOKYOPOP: "In contrast to most children's books, which typically rely on flat character illustrations, Jr Cine-Manga books are created with screen captures or on-set photography so the characters look exactly as they do on the television screen. This great feature will help kids immediately connect with them."

"TOKYOPOP has done a fantastic job of bringing Hasbro’s MY LITTLE PONY brand to life through its Jr. Cine-Manga books," said Tom Klusaritz, VP Licensing and New Business Development. "With these books, MY LITTLE PONY fans will have a new way to enjoy their favorite pony characters."

Sesame Workshop’s education experts agree. Anna Housley Juster, Director of Content for Sesame Street, explains that the unique storybook format can promote extended storytelling. "The vivid photographs and printed words evoke the magic of the spoken word and engaging dialogue," says Housley Juster, who conducts frequent testing with preschoolers while performing research for the show. "As children and caregivers read together, children who are already reading can take on various roles with diverse voices."

The My Little Pony: Friends Are Never Far Away; Sesame Street: Elmo and Zoe Fly a Kite and Sesame Street: Happy, Healthy Monsters Jr. Cine-Manga will be available in bookstores everywhere in July.

LETHAL INSTINCT LAUNCHES WEBSITE

press release:
Lynx Studios and Alias Comics announced today that a new website for the upcoming comic book LETHAL INSTINCT has gone live. Fans and readers are encouraged to visit the site at http://www.lethalinstinct.com for more information about the upcoming first issue as well as future chapters in the story.

LETHAL INSTINCT is the story of Frank Aaron, a police officer who struggles with the curse of being a werewolf. As Officer Aaron investigates the brutal murder of the Mayor’s family, he notices claw marks, saliva, and animal hair at the crime scene, leading him to wonder if he might be responsible, particularly since he can faintly remember being there as a wolf the night before. But in the course of his investigation, he discovers that there is another werewolf in town, and he is forced to use the abilities of his feral side to track down his counterpart and solve the mystery of the murder.

The book was created and written by Rômulo Soares, the head of Lynx Studios, with additional help from Wagner Baehr (plot) and Bart A. Thompson and Ernst Dabel (dialogue). It features art from international illustrators Jack Jadson and Alex Borges, with Wellington Dias and Jackson Gebien on inks, Mario Gonzáles and Charlie Kirchoff on colors, and Ben Basso and Sébastien Hombel on letters. ALIAS Executive Director Mike S. Miller served as editor.

LETHAL INSTINCT is a 6-issue miniseries that will hit shelves in the latter half of May. Issue #1 will be released at a cover price of $.75 as part of ALIAS Comics’s "20-Year Rollback" pricing promotion.

COMICS FOR YOUR PSP!

press release:
PSPcmx.com Debuts Licensed Comic Book Content Optimized for PSP Users

TAMPA, FL – May 6, 2005 -- PSPcmx™ announced today the debut of their site http://www.PSPcmx.com , focused on bringing professional comic book properties optimized to view on the Sony PSP™ for the near-3 million global PSP users.PSPcmx.com is targeting the enthusiastic new audience of Sony PSP™ users, whose media consumption parallels tastes in the direct comic marketplace’s own audiences, opening an exciting window of opportunity to introduce current comic book properties to a vast new audience.“It’s free comic books for your PSP! Comic book readers already know how cool comics are.

PSPcmx.com is tailored for the audience who hasn’t heard of comic books yet, or doesn’t know comic books have matured with compelling new styles. They’ll find exciting genres and stories similar to many popular movies and games,” said Dave Lanphear, co-founder of PSPcmx.com. Lanphear’s award-winning 20 years’ print production experience, his 10 year emphasis on pure digital production, plus his strong ties to the comics creative community through his studio Artmonkeys.com, has opened a large library of comic book properties for PSPcmx™.

“On PSPcmx.com, we’re offering free downloadable full-color comic books optimized for viewing on the Sony PSP™,” said co-founder, Alberto Mendoza. “Our optimization process takes full advantage of the PSP’s clarity and file structures. Each book is written and drawn by talented comics professionals, and their stories are epic, entertaining, engrossing reads. We’re incredibly grateful to each studio for making their books available to the new PSP audience.” Mendoza is best-known by his alias, Gabo of Gabocorp.com, and since 1997, Gabo has been internationally acclaimed and published for his revolutionary vision and online exhibitions of web and media development potential.

Currently, PSPcmx.com offers downloadable all-ages comic stories from: Kandora Publishing’s Barbarossa & The Lost Corsairs™, an epic and fantastic re-imagining of the historical red-bearded pirate; and DB Pro’s 2002 smash-hit Legacy™, a fantasy coming-of-age story of a young boy who could hold the key to ending his world’s war. Two more stories coming soon, Speakeasy Comic’s The Grimoire™, the story of a young teenager, Amandine, and her mysterious raccoon partner, who are given a magical book to protect from monsters and villains; and 2005’s smash-hit, Runemaster Studio’s Lions, Tigers & Bears™, the story of timid boy, Joey, who is propelled into the Stuffed Animal Kingdom to protect the fate of all young children.

More properties are to be announced soon, and content updates are scheduled weekly.


About PSPcmx.comPSPcmx.com is the premier gateway for comic book creators to promote original print content through optimized digital downloads to audiences of gaming, wireless, handheld and multimedia consoles. Based in Tampa, PSPcmx.com is building a library of licenses, searching the creative landscape for creator-owned content and graphics for digital presentation, print publication and creative asset management. Since 1997, PSPcmx.com’s core team has developed deep, rich multimedia material, notably print and/or digital comics properties output to subscription web sites, DVDs, and proprietary online content promotion including CrossGen Entertainment’s Comics On the Web, CrossGen’s Digital Comic Book DVDs and Marvel’s Cybercomics Online.

For further informationNews and current information can be found at http://www.PSPcmx.com on the home page as announcements or blog entries, or by e-mail to press@pspcmx.com

DC Provides Additional Copies Of Ex Machina Special Edition

DC Comics has expanded the distribution of the EX MACHINA SPECIAL EDITION #1, giving even more readers the chance to enjoy a FREE look at this Eisner Award-nominated new series!

In addition to receiving the Special in quantities equal to 30% of retailers' initial orders on Y: THE LAST MAN #32 (FEB050363), retailers also will receive one copy for every copy of EX MACHINA: THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS TP (NOV040321) ordered to date.

"Retailer interest in this Special has been very high, so we're pleased to make more copies available," says Bob Wayne, DC's VP-Sales. "This Special provides an ideal way for retailers to introduce fans of Brian K. Vaughan's writing on Y: THE LAST MAN to his work on EX MACHINA."

The free EX MACHINA SPECIAL EDITION #1 (PROM60067) is scheduled to arrive in stores on May 11. Other EX MACHINA issues and more are available as follows:
The EX MACHINA: THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS TP (NOV040321) is available for reorder.
EX MACHINA #2 (MAY040350), #3 (JUN040808), #4 (JUL040674), #5 (AUG040437), #6 (SEP040374), #7 (OCT040333), #8 (DEC040308), #9 (JAN050350) and #10 (FEB050336) all are available for reorder.

EX MACHINA #11 (MAR050462) is available for advance reorder and is scheduled to arrive in stores on May 18.

EX MACHINA #12 (APR050393) is solicited in the April Previews (Volume XV #4) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on June 15.

EX MACHINA #13 (MAY050275) is solicited in the May Previews (Volume XV #5) and is scheduled to arrive in stores on July 20.

Check out Comics Impulse for info on DC's Infinite Crisis!

X-WORLD Announces Free Comic Book Month!!!

Press Release

X-World Comics is excited to announce our Fourth Annual 'Free Comics & Stuff Month'. Like most comic book retailers, X-World takes part in the industry's annual Free Comic Book Day. FCBD is a great way for stores to promote comic books to potential new readers, which are needed in order to create a future for the comic book industry. Being primarily an online store, it can however be a difficult challenge to get non comic book readers onto a comic book website to obtain free comics.

X-World takes tackles the challenge by setting aside one entire month per year to promote comics, advertising the event all over the internet and offering some of the years best comics free of charge to both new visitors and regular customers. Comics such as Green Lantern Rebirth, Ultimates, New Avengers, Y The Last man, Supreme Power and Young Avengers. It is our intent that our regular customers will pass some of the best that the industry has to offer to their friends, family...and that this willl bring new readers into the comic book community.

No purchase is necessary for many of the free comics, and some of the more expensive comics will be added to a customer's purchase as a bonus for ceetain $ amount spent...ie X-World may match .50 in free comics for every $ spent, for example.

Free Comic & Stuff Month runs throughout the month of May, 2005 at www.x-worldcomics.com.