Hedgecock Joins IDW

2013 has been quite the year for IDW Publishing and there are no signs of that slowing down any time soon.  As the company continues to identify and develop titles that excite readers, garner critical acclaim and win industry awards, they are also publishing more books than ever.

In order to continue that kind of growth and maintain the quality that IDW Publishing is known for, David Hedgecock is joining the IDW team as Managing Editor, where he will help oversee and coordinate editorial activities as well as work to develop new talent and special projects.

“IDW is a powerhouse of creative energy and I’m thrilled to be joining the team at such an important moment in the company’s history,” said Hedgecock, whose most recent experience includes 6 years as CEO at Ape Entertainment.

"David's considerable publishing experience and acumen, as well as his eye for talent and his solid reputation with the many creators he's worked all make for a very welcome addition to IDW's editorial staff," said Chris Ryall, IDW's Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief.

As the former CEO at Ape Entertainment, David Hedgecock joins the company with a unique understanding of all aspects of comic book and entertainment production from a creative and business perspective.

Unity Does 68K+

Valiant has announced that Unity #1 – the oversized, 40-page first issue of Valiant's next landmark monthly series by Matt Kindt & Doug Braithwaite – will debut with initial orders of more than 68,500 copies, cementing its status as one of 2013's highest selling new series debuts.

Valiant is also proud to announce that the subsequent two issues of Unity's first story arc – December's Unity #2 and January's Unity #3 – will be 100% returnable for retailers who match or exceed 50% of their orders for Unity #1. As previously announced, Unity #1 will be limited to a first printing only and will not go back to press following the issue's November 13th release.

"Based on pre-orders alone, Unity #1 has already outranked a slew of other recent success stories including East of West #1 Hawkeye #1, Lazarus #1, Manhattan Projects #1, Pretty Deadly #1, Saga #1, Satellite Sam #1, Sex Criminals #1, Ten Grand #1, Trillium #1, Velvet #1, The Wake #1, and the list goes on," said Valiant Sales Manager Atom! Freeman. "That's incredible company to keep, and all of us at Valiant would like to thank the fans and our retail partners for their confidence and support. Unity #1 is a major milestone for us as a publisher and our biggest launch to date. This sales figure only affirms that big things are on the horizon for this series, and that Valiant isn't slowing down one iota."

"Unity #1 could be our most important single issue to date, and we couldn't be happier with the sales and excitement leading up to its debut. Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite are delivering something truly magical with this series and issue #1 is a pitch perfect first step. It's innovative, powerful and brilliant - there's simply nothing like it on the stands today, " said CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. "Moreover, we've gone all out to ensure the series delivers to both fans and retailers. We've added returnability for issues #2 and #3, and have even bigger plans for the second arc of Unity beginning with issue #5 next March. Keep your eyes peeled – we've even included a top secret teaser of things to come at the end of the first issue."

From New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Justice League of America, Mind MGMT) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Journey into Mystery), Unity #1 is the first issue of an all-new ongoing series launching Valiant’s first ever super-team into battle against X-O Manowar!

To kill a king…he has created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most unforgiving team the world has ever known – Unity. Their mission: defeat the threat responsible for the destruction of MI-6, the decimation of an alien world, and the occupation of Eastern Europe… Unseat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon… Kill X-O Manowar!

You’ve heard the buzz... You’ve seen the reviews... On November 13th, discover the most acclaimed universe on the stands today in Unity #1 – a perfect entry point for new readers and one of the year's best-selling new series debuts!

UNITY #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (SEP131344)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by BRYAN HITCH (SEP131346)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by J.G. JONES (SEP131345)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by TRAVEL FOREMAN (SEP131349)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by PAOLO RIVERA (SEP131347)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN (SEP131348)
Valiant 8-Bit Evolution Variant by DONOVAN SANTIAGO (SEP131350)
Team USA Luge Variant by DIEGO BERNARD (SEP131352)
Valiant Signature Series Variant by BART SEARS (SEP131353)
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS (SEP131354)
B&W Sketch Variant by NEAL ADAMS (SEP131355)
Blank Variant also available (SEP131351)
$3.99/T+/40 pgs.
ON SALE 11/13/13 (FOC – 10/21/13)

X-O MANOWAR #19 (UNITY TIE-IN)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN (SEP131356)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA (SEP131357)
Variant Cover by BART SEARS (SEP131358)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 11/20/13 (FOC – 10/28/13)

UNITY #2
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (OCT131342)
Variant Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN (OCT131343)
Variant Cover by CARY NORD (OCT131344)
B&W Sketch Variant by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (SEP138204)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 11/20/13 (FOC – 10/28/13)

UNITY #3
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (NOV131283)
Variant Cover by J.G. JONES (NOV131284)
Variant Cover by SHANE DAVIS (NOV131285)
B&W Sketch Variant by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (SEP138205)
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

DC: The West of the Story

 DC Entertainment has confirmed that the company is abandoning New York City next year; instead, the entire comics publishing  will relocate to Burbank. This is a major shift in comics publishing; for as long as DC has existed (and even longer!), the company has operated out of New York City. No word yet on whether this will lead to staff shake-ups, but it's quite likely, since not everyone will want to relocate cross-country. Here's the letter that DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson sent to staff members today.

Dear DCE Team, 

As I hope you know, I and the entire DCE exec team work hard to offer transparency about as much of our business plans and results as we possibly and responsibly can. In an effort to continue to do that where possible and to ensure you are hearing news from us, rather than a third party, I am proactively reaching out to you this afternoon to share news about our business. 

I can confirm that plans are in the works to centralize DCE’s operations in 2015. Next week, the Exec Team will be in New York for a series of meetings to walk everyone through the plans to relocate the New York operations to Burbank. The move is not imminent and we will have more than a year to work with the entire company on a smooth transition for all of us, personally and professionally. 

Everyone on the New York staff will be offered an opportunity to join their Burbank colleagues and those details will be shared with you individually, comprehensively and thoughtfully next week. Meeting notifications will be sent tomorrow to ensure the roll out of this information and how it affects the company and you personally 

We know this will be a big change for people and we will work diligently to make this as smooth and seamless a transition as possible. 

Best,
Diane

Keep checking with CSNsider for updates on this seismic change and how it might affect the comics industry.

Archie's Gonna Mega-Man Up in 2011

•Archie Comics is adding another videogame-based comic to its line with the debut of Mega Man in 2011. Mega Man, based on Capcom’s videogame hit, joins the ultra-popular Sonic the Hedgehog as a part of Archie’s monthly line.
    Written by Ian Flynn and illustrated by Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante, Mega Man is set to blast his way back into the comic book world in his own monthly action in the spring.
    “Since 1987, the enormously successful Mega Man franchise has conquered media from video games to television to manga. Archie Comics is ready to carry on this tradition of success, holding true to the spirit of the old school with a fresh eye on Mega Man’s strong potential in the world of American comics,” Sonic and Mega Man editor Paul Kaminski said.
    Mega Man will follow the original Rock/Mega Man in his battles against the maniacal Dr. Wily. Mega Man’s jam-packed, fast-paced adventures are told from the perspective of Rock (a.k.a. Mega Man) the young boy with a peaceful heart now thrust into a life of conflict.
    “Readers can expect non-stop action, as well as an exploration of the themes of family, choice and loyalty that make the Mega Man franchise a property that connects on a very personal level,” Kaminski said. “From there, we hope to fully explore not only that classic world, but the other spin-offs including Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man Legends, and more!”

That's Rich!

The poor little rich kid is about to make comic book readers’ lives a little richer! Ape Entertainment and Classic Media have signed a deal to bring Richie Rich back to comics in an all-new series that will update the concept, transforming Richie Rich into a globetrotting adventurer who uses his limitless wealth for good. Part James Bond, Jr., and part Indiana Jones, with Donald Trump’s bank account, Richie Rich helps the less fortunate with the assistance of.  With his close-knit team of friends, including an updated supporting cast.
    “We are excited to partner with Ape Entertainment for a reimagining of Richie Rich,” Karyn Schneider, VP, Licensing, Classic Media, said.  “Richie is a long-standing star of the comic book world and we look forward to adding new adventures to his story.”
    “Everyone inside the Ape HQ grew up a Richie Rich fan,” Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin said.  “What we’re hoping to do with the property now is update it with a contemporary spin and bring even more action and intrigue to the original stories we all grew up on.
    “While there will be plenty of adventure, there will also be plenty of fun. Ape is by no means reinventing the wheel, just adding another spoke. And in the words of Richie Rich, you can take that to the bank!”
    The first issue of  Richie Rich will appear in early 2011 under Ape’s KiZoic all-ages imprint.