Australia's first digital comic publisher launches, promots indie titles

Spectrum Pacific Publishing managing director Benjamin Slabak has announced the launch of Australia’s first digital comic book publisher, Cloud 9 Comix -- and its initial focus seems firmly on publishing independent titles and independent creators.

Spectrum Pacific Publishing, founded by Benjamin Slabak in 1996 in Sydney, Australia, developed and published over 30 computer games and moved into print publishing in 2009. It quickly moved toward digital publishing in 2010, with plans to release comic books, magazines, books, as well as casual games for iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Blackberry and Android  devices.

The project's line up features titles from Italy, France, Croatia, India, Argentina, Australia, USA and many other countries, with a number of titles fully translated and adapted into English language for the very first time.

“We are big fans of the international comic book scene and we will bring a number of classic Italian fumetti, French BD, as well as titles from Asia and South America to the digital platform, starting with the iPad and following up with Android and other platforms in the coming months”, says Mr Slabak.

Cloud 9 is also backing indie creator. “We will work with and support independent comic book authors and small publishers in making their titles available to an audience that’s wider than ever before," he enthuses.

"A myriad of digital tablets and e-reader devices are slated for release during 2011 and we expect the digital comic book scene to experience a boom in 2011”.

The iPad app, codenamed Silver Lining, available now as a free download from iTunes, was developed internally by SPP and  features a store-front that lists the available comics, previews of each comic, and a handy shelf feature where the purchased comics are stored and easily accessed.

SPP say the simplicity of use of the app is one of its strengths and the comic book fans will surely enjoy flipping between the pages of the many comic books and graphic novels available in the store, with a number of free ones available to download.

Cloud 9 Comix has also collected the best of Australian comic book titles under its brand and titles such as Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes (published by New South Wales-based publisher Blackhouse Comics), Vienna, Dark Nebula, Southern Squadron, The Wraith, and others, which are already available for purchase in the Cloud 9 Comix iPad store.

Explaining the decision to launching first with an iPad app, Slabak points to the quality and clarity of comics on the device. "It's perfect for comic books and it allows one to take their comic book collection with them and read them on the go.

"With most comics priced between $0.99 and $1.99 USD,' he adds, "it has never been more affordable to get back into the wonderful world of comics and graphic novels. Our catalogue offers something for everyone, with new titles being added on regular basis”.

Partners in the project include small publishers and independent studios such as Texas-based Red Handed Studios, publishers of Dynagirl; Ratti Entertainment, Chicago-based Spinner Rack Comics, Blackhouse Comics, Bangalore-based Level 10 Comics, publishers of Jump Magazine, Azure Press, publishers of Acolyte Chronicles, superheroine publisher Heroic Publishing, Cinemacomics, Urban Style Comics, Vimanika Comics and more.

SPP say their catalogue now features over 150 unique titles from all six continents. They also plan to publish in Italian, Spanish, German, Croatian and other languages.

“We're excited about launching Cloud 9 Comix and look very much forward to building our brand and reaching new audiences with much content never before accessible on the global scale," says Slabak. "This is an opportunity for independent authors and publishers to show their labour of love to the world which would not be possible without the digital platform”, says Mr Slabak.

“I invite everyone with an iPad to download our free app and sample some of the comic book titles available from us.”

• The full catalogue of comics available is on the official website http://cloud9comix.com

• Official Cloud 9 Comix promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzDmip68u0w

• Cloud 9 on Facebook


• Cloud 9 on Twitter

• Cloud 9 App for iPad (iTunes link)

IDW launches creator-based comics

IDW Publishing has announced the launch of Templesmith Comics, the first of its creator-based digiital comics range.

The Templesmith Comics universal app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch comprises a collection of comics by one of the industries most unconventionally brilliant creators, Ben Templesmith and features a free storefront application offering in-app purchases.

"Ben's work deserves to be featured on its own," said Jeff Webber, IDW's Director of ePublishing. "The custom designed app includes several of Ben's biggest series - Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, Singularity 7, Groom Lake, Shadowplay, Welcome to Hoxford, and even a special G.I. JOE story featuring the Baroness.

"These books have been top sellers on other platforms such as Sony PSP, so we wanted to bring them to his iPad and iPhone fans as one complete library."

The app launch comes hot on the heels of sales figures released by digital comics distributor Comixology (a company regarded as emerging at the forefront of digital comic distribution and sales) suggesting strong sales for creator-owned comics on digital devices.

IDW, the first comics publisher to launch its own "in app purchase" storefronts for the iPhone and iPod touch, brings its offering to five storefronts with the new Templesmith Comics. This creator-based app joins IDW's existing storefronts: G.I. JOE Comics, TRANSFORMERS Comics, Star Trek, and IDW Comics.

All IDW store front apps are powered by iVerse. IDW currently has over 650 individual issues available through the App Store, with more available every week and distributed on more mobile devices and platforms than any other major publishers, including Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Sony PSP, Nokia Ovi Store, Amazon Kindle, AT&T, Blackberry.

Available as a free application through iTunes, Templesmith Comics comes with three free books and the option to purchase over 30 for either $.99 or $1.99 each. New books will be added regularly as IDW's Templesmith catalog continues to grow.

Each digital comic has been specifically formatted to optimize reading for both iPad and iPhone.

• Templesmith Comics is now available from iTunes as a free download. Click here to download from iTunes

Graphicly attracts $3 milion in new investment from VC angels

Digital comics distributor and comics community Graphicly has announced that it has raised a Series A financing totaling $3 million dollars, investment lead by DFJ Mercury, with participation from 500 Startups, Dundee Venture Capital, Ludlow Ventures and several angel investors.

With the additional funding, Graphicly says it now plans to create a true digital entertainment experience by providing audio commentaries, video, music and interactive panels.

“Our community is looking for more than just an online digital comic store," says stated CEO Micah Baldwin. "They know that comics are not just colorful stories for children, but beautiful art, with deep story lines that are best experienced socially and interactively that extend beyond the page.

"2011 is the year we bring that into existence.”

"In 2010, we focused on bringing our community to as many digital comic publishers and creators we could, on every platform in existence, and they responded by downloading more than 600,000 copies of our applications in less than 5 months, and spending more than 20 minutes per visit,” he added. “In 2011, we are taking what we excelled in and combining it with our new funding to bring a greater immersive social experience and new ways to engage with the story and characters.”

Graphicly ended 2010 leading the industry with more than 150 publisher and creator relationships, including industry leader Marvel Comics, Archie Comics, Archaia Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Top Cow and BOOM! Studios, and was the only company to release applications for the desktop with Windows 7 and Adobe Air; mobile with iPhone, iPad, Windows 7 Phone and Android; and the web as a featured partner with the Google Chrome Web Store.

"Their product is phenomenal and their team is out of this world," feel investors Ludlow Ventures.

• Graphicly web site: www.graphicly.com

More Jack Staff issues released for iPhone

A quick plug, courtesy of digital comics distributor Comixology, to remind folk here that Paul Grist's wonderful Jack Staff is available on iPhone and more.

Out now are Issue 9 and 10, with Issue 9 offering "Titanic team-up action as Britain's Greatest Hero, Jack Staff, and Castletown's Cast Iron Champrion, Tom Tom the Robot Man, join forces in the hunt for superhero-hating Detective Inspector Maveryk!

You'll also learn the full details of the Freedom Fighters' battle to halt the Nazi invasion of Castletown in 1942.

In Issue 10, it's time for more action from Karl Stringer, a man who was just a thief until he stole the Claw, a strange metal glove that bonded with his own hand and gave him the power of invisibility! He became the mysterious Super Villain known as The Claw - until the police caught up with him.

Right now he's called Ben Kurmer and he's part of Q, the enigmatic investigators of the Question Mark Crimes – only when he gets caught up in a diamond robbery, he has to decide if he's really a hero or a villain!


• More info on Issue 9 of Jack Staff on the Comixology site


• More info on Issue 10 of Jack Staff on the Comixology site

• More about Jack Staff on Wikipedia

US Digital Comic Releases - 19th January 2011

(via ComicsList) Here's a list of the comic books that should be available on iTunes and the PlayStation Digital Comics Store this week.


Marvel Comics App
Digital Comics On-Sale Today:

Avengers Vs. Pet Avengers #3
Black Widow #7
Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game: War Of Gifts (Orson Scott Card'S Ender's Game: War Of Gifts Special #1, Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison #1, Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game: Recruiting Valentine #1, And Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game: The League War #1)
Iron Man: Rapture #3
Loki #3
Marvel 1602: New World (Marvel 1602: New World #1-5)
New Mutants Vol. 1: Return Of Legion (New Mutants #1-5)
Thor: Across All Worlds (Thor #26-31)
Thor: First Thunder #4
Thunderstrike #2
Ultimate Comics Thor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 8: Cats & Kings (Ultimate Spider-Man #46-53)
X-Men: Messiah Complex (X-Men: Messiah Complex #1-13)
Free This Week On The App:
January Sneak Peeks
New Mutants #1
Spider-Man: You're Hired #1
Spider-Man Saga
Thor #26
Ultimate Spider-Man #46

DC for the Comixology App

100 Bullets #18
Action Comics #854
Action Comics #855
The Authority (Vol 1) #15
Batman Beyond #6
Batman Beyond #7
Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #9
Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #10
Batman: Streets Of Gotham #6
Birds Of Prey #96
Birds Of Prey #97
Ex Machina #27
Fables #42
Fringe: Tales From The Fringe #4
Green Arrow #27
Green Lantern #37
Green Lantern Corps #30
Hellblazer #36
Hellblazer #37
High Moon Chapter 12
The Invisibles #22
The Invisibles #23
JLA #41
JLA #42
Justice #1
Justice #2
Justice League Of America #14
Legends Of The DC Universe #1
Legends Of The DC Universe #2
Legends Of The DC Universe #3
Planetary #26
Preacher #12
Preacher #13
The Sandman #31
Sleeper Season Two #7
Starman #31
Starman #32
Superman #215
Superman/Batman #46
Swamp Thing #31
Tom Strong #1
Tom Strong #2
Transmetropolitan #23
Wonder Woman #35
World Of Warcraft #10
Y: The Last Man #25
Young Justice #0

DC for the PlayStation Network

Batman Beyond (1999) #2
Ex Machina #26
Fables #41
Fringe: Tales From The Fringe #3
Green Lantern Corps #5
High Moon Chapter 12
JLA #33
JLA #34
Planetary #25
The Sandman #18
Superman/Batman #45
Supernatural: Rising Son #1
Supernatural: Rising Son #2
Tom Strong #1
Tom Strong #2
Wonder Woman #17
Y: The Last Man #24
Young Justice #0

VIZ Media for the iPad

CAPTIVE HEARTS Volume 1
CLAYMORE Volume 1
D.GRAY-MAN Volume 1

comiXology App

100 Bullets #17
100 Bullets #18
Action Comics #852
Action Comics #853
Action Comics #854
Action Comics #855
Adventures of Little Archie #1
Angelus #4 (of 6)
Angelus #5 (of 6)
Arcana Studio Presents 2004 Fcbd Ed
Arcana Studio Presents 2005 Fcbd Ed
Arcana Studio Presents 2006 Fcbd Ed
Archie Wedding Vol. 1: Will You Marry Me?
Avengers vs. Pet Avengers #2 (of 4)
Batman Beyond Vol. 2 #4
Batman Beyond Vol. 2 #5
Batman Beyond Vol. 2 #6
Batman Beyond Vol. 2 #7
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #1 (of 6)
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #2 (of 6)
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #3 (of 6)
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #4 (of 6)
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #5 (of 6)
Batman Beyond Vol. 3 #6 (of 6)
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #6
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #7
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #8
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #9
Batman: Streets of Gotham #5
Batman: Streets of Gotham #6
Batman: The Long Halloween #13
Bayou #11
Berserker #6
Birds Of Prey #96
Birds Of Prey #97
Birds of Prey #94
Birds of Prey #95
Brightest Day #6
Captain America & the Falcon #1
Captain America & the Falcon #2
Captain America & the Falcon #3
Captain America & the Falcon #4
Contract: Rockin' the Casbah
Cyblade: Pilot Season #1
Dark Avengers #7
Dark Avengers #8
Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus
Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1 (of 6)
Dark Horrors Anthology Vol. 1
Dark Horrors Anthology Vol. 1: Preview
Dead Men Tell No Tales Vol. 2: Decimation
Dead Men Tell No Tales Vol. 2: Decimation: Preview
Deadpool Vol. 2 #5
Deadpool Vol. 2 #6
Deadpool Vol. 2 #7
Deadpool Vol. 2 #8
Detective Comics #817
Detective Comics #818
Detective Comics #819
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep: Dust To Dust #5 (of 8)
Ex Machina #26
Ex Machina #27
Extracurricular Activities #1
Fables #41
Fables #42
Farscape: Ongoing Vol. 4 #12
Farscape: Ongoing Vol. 4 #13
Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1
Fringe: Tales From the Fringe #3 (of 6)
Fringe: Tales From the Fringe #4 (of 6)
Girls #10
Girls #8
Girls #9
Green Arrow #26
Green Arrow #27
Green Lantern #36
Green Lantern #37
Green Lantern Corps #29
Green Lantern Corps #30
Hellblazer #34
High Moon #12
Iron Man/Thor #1 (of 4)
Iron Man: The Rapture #1 (of 4)
Iron Saint #0
Iron Saint #1
Iron Saint #2
JLA #39
JLA #40
JLA #41
JLA #42
Jack Staff #10
Jack Staff #9
Justice #1 (of 12)
Justice #2 (of 12)
Justice League of America #13
Justice League of America #14
Justice League: Generation Lost #17
Klaws of the Panther #2 (of 4)
Lamorte Sisters #1
Legends of the DC Universe #1
Legends of the DC Universe #2
Legends of the DC Universe #3
Lost At Sea
Necronomicon #3 (of 4)
Necronomicon #4 (of 4)
Night Owls #8
Planetary #25
Planetary #26
Preacher #10
Preacher #11
Preacher #12
Preacher #13
Proof #1
Proof #2
Proof #3
Proof #4
Proof #5
PvP #11
PvP #12
PvP #13
Raise the Dead II #1
Raising Amy #3
Raising Amy #4
Raising Amy #5
Road #2
Sandman #30
Sandman #31
Screamland #5 (of 5)
Sleeper: Season Two #6 (of 12)
Sleeper: Season Two #7 (of 12)
Starman #29
Starman #30
Superman #214
Superman #215
Superman #665
Superman/Batman #45
Superman/Batman #46
Superman: Secret Origin #6 (of 6)
Swamp Thing #30
Swamp Thing #31
Tales of the Sinestro Corps Presents: Ion
The Authority Vol. 1 #14
The Authority Vol. 1 #15
The Boys #10
The Boys #5
The Boys #6
The Boys #7
The Boys #8
The Boys #9
The Foundation #1 (of 5)
The Foundation #1 (of 5): Preview
The Foundation #2 (of 5)
The Foundation #3 (of 5)
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #1
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #1: Preview
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #2
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #3
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #4
The Green Hornet: Parallel Lives #5
The Infinite Horizon #1 (of 6)
The Infinite Horizon #2 (of 6)
The Infinite Horizon #3 (of 6)
The Invisibles #20
The Invisibles #21
The Invisibles #22
The Invisibles #23
The Spaghetti Strand Murder
Thor: First Thunder #1 (of 5)
Thor: First Thunder #2 (of 5)
Thor: First Thunder #3 (of 5)
Thor: Son of Asgard #10
Thor: Son of Asgard #11
Thor: Son of Asgard #12
Thor: Son of Asgard #7
Thor: Son of Asgard #8
Thor: Son of Asgard #9
Tom Strong #1
Tom Strong #2
Transmetropolitan #22
Transmetropolitan #23
Ultimate Spider-Man #40
Ultimate Spider-Man #41
Ultimate Spider-Man #42
Ultimate Spider-Man #43
Ultimate Spider-Man #44
Ultimate Spider-Man #45
Uncanny X-Men #513
Uncanny X-Men #514
Valentine (English) #9
What If? Astonishing X-Men #1
What If? Daredevil Vs. Elektra #1
What If? Secret Invasion #1
What If? Spider-Man: House of M #1
What If? World War Hulk #1
What Were They Thinking Some People Never Learn One Shot (o/
Wolverine: Origins #20
Wonder Woman #34
Wonder Woman #35
World of Warcraft #10
World of Warcraft #9
X-Factor #1
X-Factor #2
X-Factor #3
X-Factor #4
X-Factor #5
X-Factor #6
Y: The Last Man #24
Y: The Last Man #25
Young Justice #0
Young Justice #0: Preview
Zombie Tales #10
Zombie Tales #7
Zombie Tales #8
Zombie Tales #9

PlayStation Network

Batman Beyond Vol. 1 #2
The Boy Who Made Silence #1
Domo #2
The Dreaming #11
Dungeons & Dragons #2
Ex Machina #26
Extracurricular Activities #1
Fables #41
Fringe: Tales from the Fringe #3
Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1 #5
High Moon #12
I Luv Halloween #10
JLA #31
JLA #32
JLA #33
JLA #34
Justice League: Generation Lost #17
Legends of the Dark Crystal #4
Planetary #25
Reya #7
Sandman #18
Star Trek: The Manga #10
Superman/Batman #45
Ultimate Fantastic Four (2003) #17
Ultimate Fantastic Four (2003) #18
Ultimate War (2002) #1
Ultimate War (2002) #2
Ultimate War (2002) #3
Undertown #3
Van Von Hunter #1
Wonder Woman Vol. 3 #17
Young Justice Vol. 2

Graphic.ly

28 Days Later #15
Amazing Spider-Man #539
Amory Wars: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3 #4-6
Avengers #500-503
Berona's War: Preview
Berserker #5-6
Breakneck #2
Breathe #1
CBGB #4
Daredevil #96-98
Dark Mists #1
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? #15-17
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust to Dust #6-7
Dracula TCOM #3-4
Ender's Shadow: Battle School #1-5
Fame: Gaga #2
Fame: Glee
Fame: Justin Bieber
Farscape #07-13
Farscape: Scorpius #00-01
Gunnerkrigg Court V2 HC
Harbor Moon #5-6
Hard-Bullied Comics #4-5
Hard-Bullied Comics V1: Back in Blackmail
Harker #1
Hero Squared: Another Fine Mess #3-6
Hope Falls #1
ICARUS #1
Incorruptible #10-12
Incredible Hulk #78, 102-106, 111
Invincible Iron Man #3-5
Irredeemable #19-20
Laluelle #1-2
Massive Awesome #3
Midnight Kiss #1
N Guard #1-2
Nanny and Hank #1
Powers #15-16, 18-20
Reya #0-1
The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles #2-4
The Dark #1
The Lexian Chronicles #01
The Magdalena V3 #1-3
The Rocket #1-3
The Stand #2
Titanium Rain HC
Tron: Original Movie Adaptation #1-2
Tumor GN
Ultimate X-Men #06-09
Veronica #202, 204
Warped #3
Winter War #1-2
Young Avengers #1-5

• Read and follow the latest digital comics releases:
http://www.comiclist.com/index.php/lists/DigitalComicsThisWeek and http://feeds.feedburner.com/ComicListDigitalComics

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ComicList: Digital Comics for Wednesday, January 19, 2011, by Charles LePage. Now that you've read the list, subscribe via email or RSS, use the ComicList Printable Checklist, and catalogue your comics with a free trial of Collectorz.com Comic Collector! Let Charles know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. For the 86% of ComicList readers who prefer traditional printed comics, to find a local comic book shop, please browse The Master List of Comic Book & Trading Card Stores.

This List is © 2011 by Charles LePage, and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA. Any questions regarding the use of this work should be directed to Charles LePage at chuck@comiclist.com.

Publishing Innovation Award nominees include Valentine, Robot 13 and Clown Commandos

Every arena of human endeavour seems to generate its own awards - and why should digital publsihing be any different? Digital Book World has released its longlist for the inaugural Publishing Innovation Awards, which has a specific category for comics.

Nominated are Clown Commandos #1 (from Big Red Boot Entertainment), Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics (Disney Publishing Worldwide), the Motion Comic SUPERARE (Amo Tarzi), Operation Ajax (Cognito Comics and Tall Chair, see yesterday's news story), Tumor (Archaia Studios Press) and Robot 13 by Thomas Hall and Daniel Bradford and Valentine by Alex de Campi and Christine Larse, both released by Robot Comics).

The Publishing Innovation Awards recognizes the best ebooks and book apps based on their merits in the areas of origination, development, production, design, and marketing.

Clown Commandos, produced by Big Red Boot Entertainment, is the creation of Michael Anthony Steele and Scott McFadden. It's set in an alternate universe where clowns evolved into elite soldiers, who become heroes must survive in a reality where clowns are known as bumbling buffoons. For more about the comic, which features interactive sound effects visit ClownCommandos.com

Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics lets the reader select one of the six Disney Epic Mickey – Tales of Wasteland Digicomics and discover Disney Epic Mickey’s world in a prequel to the videogame storyline. You can read the story on autoplay or tap into the panels to move throughout the page. Readers also have the option to take a look at the map of Wasteland, the trailer of the videogame, character files and production interviews.  The latest version offers over 60 pages of comic retelling of the videogame. More info at: www.disney.co.uk/digicomics

Featured by Apple in its New and Notesworthy section on the iTunes store, Superare by Amo Tarzi is a motion comic combining comics with and animations for the iPad! "This new approach maintains the traditional comic book format, layout and reading experience," says Amo, "but expanding it with visually rich animations and a true panel by panel experience.
Superare (from the Latin, "to hurdle") is the story of a man who after losing his wife in a tragical accident now dithers between handling the past and it taking him over... For more info go to: http://amotarzi.com/superare/A_Motion_Comic.html

Operation Ajax by Daniel Burwen and Mike de Seve based on the work of best-selling author Stephen Kinzer. It's the graphic retelling of the 1953 CIA-sponsored coup in Iran,  and the iPad app's offer plenty of interactive enhancements to the traditional graphic novel experience to bring you into the lives and minds of the people who built the new world order.More info here in our recent news story or visit Cognito Comics web site at: http://cognitocomics.com

Tumor is a comic app for Kindle by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Noel Tuazon, the Harvey Award nominated creators of the critically acclaimed Elk's Run. Also published in print by Archaia Comics, the eight issue comic is dark Los Angeles noir, centring on Frank Armstrong, who has an inoperable, terminal brain tumor. In his final days, with his body, senses, and mind failing him, he’s going to do the one thing that he’s never been able to do before… save the girl. More info at: http://www.archaia.com/blog/titles/tumor

Robot 13 by Daniel Bradford and Thomas Hall is part sci-fi action, part Lovecraftian horror, the story of an ancient robotic hero salvaged from the ocean floor and forced to fight his way through a menagerie of mythical monsters as he journeys to discover who he really is.
It was the first comic on either iTunes or Android to combine frame-by-frame animation, a wide-range of transition effects, and vibration into a single package. It was also the first independent label mobile comic to surpass 200,000 downloads on both Android and iTunes. More info at www.robotcomics.net

Valentine by Alex de Campi and Christine Larsen is the historical-fiction supernatural adventure that pits French calvary officer Valentine against an unholy horde as he battles his way through a desolate Russian landscape during the War of 1812.  Valentine was the first comic to be published in a ground-breaking 13 different languages simultaneously upon its debut.
It is one of first and few mobile comic publishers who offer titles specifically designed and formatted to be read on e-devices. For more info, read our new story from September last year or check out the brilliant Valentine web site at: www.valentinethecomic.com.

• The top 5 finalists or the Publishing Innovation Awards will be announced on Monday (17th January) and organizers at the Digital Book World 2011 Conference + Expo will present the inaugural Publishing Innovation Awards in five categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Reference, Children’s, and Comics — during their opening ceremony on 24th January at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in New York.

Cognito Comics "Operation Ajax" interactive graphic novel for iPad

Cognito Comics first interactive graphic novel for iPad, Operation Ajax, has been attracting plenty of positive press attention since its launch in December.

The comic story by Cognito Comics founder Daniel Burwen and the San Francisco-based company's Art Director Mike De Seve (who also provides most of the art), tells the true story of the CIA’s involvement in the Middle East and the roots of the modern American conflict with Iran in the 1950s – and has gained coverage as diverse as the New York Times and Graphic Novel Reporter.

Art from Incognito Comics
iPad tale Operation Ajax

The iPad tale enables the reader to experience history through the eyes of a nameless protagonist, whose identity was redacted from declassified CIA records, as he recalls the dramatic and real events he was involved in with heads of state, covert agents, and underground political activists.

The story is inspired by the investigative journalism of best-selling author Stephen Kinzer and his work All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror.

"Our project is one of the first graphic novels that was created specifically for tablet computers like the iPad," Burwen told Graphic Novel Reporter last year. "It’s about the events that led up to a US and British-backed coup that resulted in the removal of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh from office in 1953.

"Mossadegh wanted to nationalize the oil resources that were discovered and refined by the British government, and he really paid the price for it. The British didn’t want to lose their investment, especially after World War 2 , and the US was afraid of communist takeover in the region, so they partnered in what they thought was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Basically the current situation in Iran is a direct result of what happened in 1953. Ajax was the first coup ever arranged by the CIA."

Cognito Comics says it is introducing a new genre of narrative nonfiction for the iPad by creating an immersive graphic entertainment experience. The company, established by Daniel Burwen to present socio-political and world issues to the general public through comics, partners with world-renowned authors, prestigious institutions and unique causes to tell their stories using "emerging technology, top rate art, compelling narrative nonfiction writing and entertaining visual experiences".



Its goal is to inform audiences about the pressing issues the world faces as a global community, we produce graphic novels that address a wide range of research-rich topics in a manner previously unexplored by traditional print media.

San Francisco-based Tall Chair, meanwhile, who built the novel's underlying platform using their Active Reader, says that the technology could be used to create iPad-centric content beyond the political comics that Cognito is interested in. One project is Cowboy Rocket Dinosaur, an interactive, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure graphic novel created for the iPad which the company says has plans to bring to the web after the iPad launch, if budgets permit.

Beyond comics, Tall Chair has also created mobile games like Cowboys vs. Zombies and Warner Bros.' Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, raising angel funding from the Venture Development Group and Jung Soo Kang.

"Tall Chair's proprietary multi-touch interface makes it possible to unlock real historical papers, old photos, and actual leaked CIA documents bit by bit," noted Burwen taking to GNR. "As we navigate the story, the technology makes it possible for readers to glean more facts: discover the compromised motives of CIA heads; the secret business alliances with Nazis and oil giants; even actual "black-ops" documents that were used to execute the mission. It's all set in a richly artistic design that combines the distinct flavours of both ancient Persia and Cold War spy culture."

Writing for the New York Times, Anthony Ha, from technology web site Venturebeat, describes the project as "coolest media experiences that I’ve seen on the iPad".

"As well as some great looking art, Operation Ajax features lots of animation to move readers from panel to panel and page to page," he explains.

"It’s an impressive experience, but it’s not a perfect one — it can be hard to figure out exactly when each animation is over and it’s time to turn the page" he notes, but points out that in addition to the story, the iPad format, enables readers to tap on drawings to see extra material like character biographies and photos of real-life locations. They can also refer to all that material later on through folders that they can access from anywhere in the story.

For all; the bells and whistles the iPad offers, Burwen insists that the story comes first and foremost. "A reader can ignore the visual cues and just proceed through the story, and everything will make sense from a narrative standpoint," he says. "It’s not like there are secrets that have to be unlocked in order to read the book. We want it to work both ways, for sure."

• The Operation Ajax app is free (download it here) and includes the prologue for the story. After that, each chapter (which is about the length of a normal comic book) will cost $2.99, and Cognito plans to release a new chapter each month (or slightly more frequently).


• Cognito Comics Official web site • Operation Ajax on Facebook • Twitter 

• Tall Chair Official web site • Cowboys vs. Zombies on Facebook • Twitter

2DFacto launches in Japan, offering manga titles online

The SH-07C e-book reader

2Dfacto, Inc., a joint venture from three Asian companies, has opened its first online bookstore in Japan to sell electronic books to users of smartphones and e-book readers marketed by NTT Docomo.

The aim is to become an integrated digital/physical hybrid bookstore, offering both ebooks and print books in one store.

2Dfacto is a joint-venture company established by Dai Nippon Printing, Docomo and the Chi Group who say the new e-bookstore, also called 2Dfacto, will be based on "honto," DNP's existing online e-book retail service.

Initially, the new e-bookstore will offer about 20,000 titles of literature and Japanese manga comic books with plans to rapidly increase the catalogue to some 100,000 titles by spring.

New books, magazines, newspapers and rich-media e-books embedded with music and video content are expected to be added gradually.

At launch, customers will be able to purchase and enjoy e-books using seven of the latest smartphones and an e-book reader offered by Docomo: Xperia, Galaxy S, Regza Phone, Lynx 3D, Optimus chat, Galaxy Tab and the SH-07C e-book reader (which will launch on 21st january).

2Dfacto will be accessible from other smartphones and e-book readers to be announced by Docomo.

2Dfacto has also announced it will expand the scope of the "honto" service in coming months, and is continuing to discuss linkage of its system with "bk1," the DNP group's existing online bookstore offering some one million titles of printed books, as well as the group's physical bookstore chains Maruzen, Junkudo and Bunkyodo. The result, they claim, would be a truly digital/physical hybrid network comprising an online store for e-books, an online store for printed books and physical stores for printed books.

Under the envisaged plan, the website for this hybrid bookstore network would offer conveniences such as recommendations based on previous purchases from all three types of bookstores, network-wide loyalty points and an e-bookshelf to view network-wide purchases.

Other special functions planned to be launched this year will enable users to read the same e-book on multiple devices and share bookmarks and marked information among multiple devices.

It's a massive project - NTT Docomo is the world's leading mobile operator and provider of advanced mobile services, serving over 56 million customers in Japan, including 49 million using i-mode, regarded as one of the world's most popular mobile e-mail/Internet platforms, and 54 million using Foma, the world's original 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA.

With its ongoing development of services for mobile payments, this could well be worth watching - especially with its hook up with Dai Nippon Printing, whose wide range of businesses include publication printing, commercial printing, smart cards, business forms, network business and electronic components.