Digitally Infinity! Panel Nine releases iPad-based comics magazine

Digital graphic novel publisher Panel Nine has launched a free preview issue of INFINITY -- a new magazine devoted to digital graphic novels and comics.

The magazine contains a roundup of digital comics news, features and reviews delivered via Apple’s Newsstand service for the iPad, including a terrific interview with comic creator PJ Holden, talking at length about Murderdrome, the digital comic he created with Al Ewing that was banned by Apple.

There's also a sampler of Panel Nine's excellent digital title Dapper John by Eddie Campbell and an extract of interview with artist David Lloyd, talking about his film noir inspired graphic novel Kickback. (The full interview is part of the Panel Nine Kickback app)

In a "Where Are They Now" style item, the magazine also profiles artist Simon Russell, the head of Brighton-based agency Boing today - but who worked with Russell on INFINITY's previous incarnation as a small press comics fanzine in the 1980s

Today, INFINITY publisher Russell Willis has swapped his photocopier for an iPad and relaunched it for the digital age.

“Digital delivery is a huge part of the future of comics," says Russell, "and we’re launching INFINITY to cover things as they develop, debate the big issues such as user experience, platforms and pricing, interview the key players, and provide a guide for people to the good stuff.

"Appropriately the magazine is specially designed for the iPad, and contains audio, video and Panel Nine’s “Panel Mode” presentation of digital comics.”

The first issue proper of INFINITY will available in September as a NewsStand ready title. The magazine will initially be published bi-monthly from then on.

Users can download the preview issue (and all subsequent issues) for free from iTunes

• Download from iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/infinity-digital-graphic-novels/id540599442?mt=8

Diamond launch digital comics service, linked to comic shops

Diamond Comic Distributors and iVerse Media have partnered to create Diamond Digital, a unique initiative that lets your local comic book shop retailer sell digital comics and graphic novels for Apple and Android devices directly to you.

Diamond and iVerse describe it as an easy way to purchase digital comics for your reading pleasure on the go and, at the same time, support your local comic book shop that brings you printed comics week in and week out.

Already on offer via the service are titles from US companies such as IDW and Boom!

Here's how it works:

1. Each week check out weekly release lists at PREVIEWSworld.com or diamonddigital.com to see what's available digitally in stores.

2. If you are in your comic book shop, tell your retailer that you'd like to purchase a digital comic book and he'll give you a download code.

3. If you are online, many retailers have digital comics available directly from their websites, so you can pay and download your digital copy at your own convenience.

4. Make sure you download the unique Digital Comics Reader app -- developed and powered by Digital comics powerhouse, iVerse Media. It's available for use on the web, Apple iPhone or for Android phones.

5. Plus, any purchases you make stays with you "in the iVerse Cloud" where you can download and use it on any device you'd like.

You can purchase a code fo a day-and-date digital editions of new comics every Wednesday when the print versions are available, usually at the same SRP as their print equivalents. You also can purchase a digital “Plus” edition code, which will typically be priced at $.99 when you purchase a print version of the same comic book.

Codes can be redeemed at your retailers’ website, or at www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

Diamond say there are thousands of backlist comic book codes available from Diamond Digital as well, including bestsellers such as Walking Dead, Ghostbusters and more - with complete runs for you to read digitally.

It's an interesting idea, long in the planning, but at this point, we're not sure how ready UK stores might be to do this - the actual app does include Diamond's comic store locator, but unlike the Diamond Digital web site, there's no option at present to search for non US comic shps.

You can download this in the UK, but the app doesn't offer its own storefront, the whole aim of this is to encourage instore purchase.

Looks like it's work in progress to us, especially for non US comic fans, especially given the lack of any UK publishers on the site home page so far...

 

MotionArtist offers new tools for comic creators

Smith Micro Software, Inc. Productivity and Graphics Group has announced the beta release of MotionArtist, a new version that enables users to add motion to their comics, create interactive HTML5 presentations as well as uniquely styled photo-shows.

International Comic-Con 2012 attendees in San Diego will be the first to see MotionArtist’s new approach to layout, animation and adding interactivity at Smith Micro’s booth #5353.

“MotionArtist is an awesome animation and interactivity product that was clearly conceived with comic creators in mind," says Steve Yatson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Smith Micro Software, Inc., in a press release about the new tools. "It's a composition and presentation application unlike anything that exists in the world of digital comic creation.

"It’s a simple solution to a very complicated set of problems that introduces a new approach to animation. We provide the platform – from there, professional artists or everyday users can really let their creativity run wild.”

The MotionArtist version combines cutting-edge tools with a truly simple user experience, creating a highly versatile solution that appeals to a wide range of users, from hardcore comic creators to anyone who loves to share their favourite photos, including:

• Graphic artists – Create amazing interactive animated comics and presentations with state-of-the-art technology, such as GPU acceleration for a lightning fast work environment and 3D layering for that cool parallax effect
  
• Traditional comic creators – Artists of any skill-level can quickly convert their work into digital comics with panel creation, layout tools and the ability to add motion
  
• Web developers – Export projects to HTML5 and deploy on your favorite website or save as standard movie formats and share your comics and presentations directly to Facebook or YouTube
  
• Photographers – Create fun, animated “photo shows” by dropping in a folder of images; MotionArtist will automatically place the images on the stage and animate the camera
  

“MotionArtist is an awesome animation and interactivity product that was clearly conceived with comic creators in mind,” said Brian Haberlin, co-artist and co-writer of the multi-media sci-fi adventure saga Anomaly. “With MotionArtist you can create panel-based comics, add animation and export in common file formats without being locked into a specific format or being required to use a particular service. You can even export as a common video format or, more importantly, HTML5.”

Key MotionArtist version Features:

• HTML5 export – Save out as HTML5 with interactive navigation or export as standard video files and share on YouTube and Facebook.
  
• Comic style panel creation – Create panels of just about any shape. Go back and resize, duplicate, rotate, align and cut at any time.
  
• Word balloons & dynamic text – Vector based balloons, thought bubbles, dialogue boxes and text can easily be added and edited at any time
  
• Arrange in 3D – add layered 3D depth to your panels and presentations for that cool parallax effect
  
• Motion – A new approach to animation for non-animators. We’ve hidden the technical stuff and brought the animation process forward in an intuitive visual manner
  
• Photo shows – Simple creation of photo presentations through automated object placement and camera movement
  
• Working modes and views – Creation and animation workflow is laid out with comic creators in mind
  

It sounds a potentially interesting tool and you can download MotionArtist for free during its beta availability into 2013 direct from the Smith Micro online store at: motionartist.smithmicro.com.

 

Stan Lee just keeps on creating!

 
Vuguru and POW! Entertainment have unveiled the programming lineup for the new premium YouTube channel, Stan Lee's World of Heroes and the comic book icon will feature a slate of original digital programming on Thursday, 12th July at San Diego Comic-Con with a panel including Mark Hamill, Adrianne Curry, Peter David, Jace Hall, Bonnie Burton and America Young.


Stan Lee's World of Heroes YouTube channel will feature both scripted and unscripted shows and aims to offer content for fans of all ages includesing

• Stan Lee's Super.Model (a scripted action comedy) - From Stan Lee, two aspiring models Bree and Sera and blogger friend Lizzie, are accidentally exposed to a mysterious serum that grants them super powers. Their newfound powers wreak havoc on their quest to become top models and pull them into a world of danger and intrigue. From Executive Producer Heath Corson (Aim High) and writer Taryn O'Neill (BlackBoxTV) 
• Head Cases (a scripted comedy) - You know those classic superhero battles where good and evil clash in epic fashion? This isn't one of those. Set at the local bar frequented by super powered heroes and villains, the comedy Head Cases is what happens before, after, and in between those battles. From Peter David (Babylon 5, Ben 10, The Incredible Hulk) and Producer David M. Uslan. 
• Chatroom of Solitude (scripted comedy) - When you’re a superhero who do you turn to at the end of the day? Written by Jeff Lewis (The Guild, Jeff Lewis 5 Minute Comedy Hour) and directed by Sean Becker (The Guild, Holliston), Chatroom of Solitude is a comedic glimpse into the mundane moments of super lives. Told through a G+ video hangout, we eavesdrop on heroes and villains when they’re off the clock and bitching about a tough day at work to their friends, colleagues and enemies.
• Bad Days (an animated parody) - From Junaid Chundrigar (creator of the animated viral series Disassembled, Bad Days) shows us heroes and villains on their worst days. Whether Green Lantern is wasting time with an emerald Yo-Yo or Batman has locked himself out of the Bat-Mobile, Bad Days lets viewers laugh at epic super failure.
• FanWars (courtroom reality) - Who is the most intelligent Super Villain of all time? FanWars gives opinionated fans (is there another kind?) a chance to discuss the most pressing issues in the World of Heroes. Producer and host Jace Hall (The Jace Hall Show, V, The Morning After) and a panel of celebrity experts pit fan against fan as they debate topics from comic books, superheroes, and science fiction. 
•  Stan Lee's Academy of Heroes (a makeover reality show) - From producer Jon Kroll (Amazing Race, Blade), the series takes real life aspiring heroes from across the country and gives them the mentoring and training they need to take their fight for good to the next level. 
• Stan Lee’s World of Heroes Presents: Mask & Cape News (Mask & cape) (news magazine) Mask & Cape is the premiere destination for all the pop-culture news in the Superhero space! Three days a week, hosts America Young and Kevin McShane provide entertainment news coverage and insight on everything from comic book releases to movies, media events, and other happenings around the superhero community. The fun atmosphere and quirky personalities that this news magazine offers makes it an exciting and friendly source for the super news that matters most.
• Stan's Rants (opinion, sample above!) - this weekly series features the spirit of the classic Stan's Soap Box comic column from his days at Marvel Comics, which explores the inner workings of the unique mind of Stan Lee. From behind his desk, Stan, tongue firmly in cheek, explains his thoughts on pop culture, upcoming films, the general state of the world and more, in this weekly series. 

Michael Eisner's Tornante Company started Vuguru in 2006 for the purpose of making creatively-driven scripted projects that could take advantage of the new distribution landscape made possible by emerging platforms such as the internet. Vuguru's inaugural project, Prom Queen, was greenlit and financed purely based on the creative idea; it went on to garner almost 30 million views in the US, and rolled out to over 30 countries around the world.

In 2009, Rogers Media (Canada's largest media company and dominant wireless carrier) placed a significant equity investment into Vuguru, enabling the Company to build a dedicated team and entire slate of original made-for-digital projects. Vuguru and Rogers also structured an output deal for Canada for multi-platform deployment.

Vuguru structured a first-of-its-kind international sales & distribution commitment for ten projects with UK-based Content Media Corporation. In the US, Vuguru has a six-project licensing and distribution deal with AOL.

POW! Entertainment, Inc., a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee’s historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

Squids didgital comic in the works

Ape Entertainment, developers of the massively popular Pocket God Comics and Cut the Rope: Comic, and independent video game developer The Game Bakers have  announced a new licensing agreement to create a series of original digital comic books and graphic novels based on The Game Bakers’ chart-topping game series, Squids.

Available for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac, the Squids games have been downloaded by more than one million players worldwide.

Squids and its recent sequel, Squids Wild West, are unique role-playing games with quirky characters, colorful cartoon graphics, and humorous storylines. A mysterious black ooze is encroaching on the Squids’ lush underwater kingdom, prompting a scrappy group of Squid heroes to fight back the only way they know how: by stretching their tentacles to spring into battle.

Both Squids games have been praised by fans for their vibrant artwork and lighthearted yet surprisingly epic plotlines – elements that will transition perfectly into Ape’s new comic series, which will explore the backstories of scout Steev, healer Vahine, and the rest of the Squids crew.

 “In terms of graphics and storytelling, the Squids games already have a lot in common with comics, so continuing and expanding the adventure in comic books is a natural step,” says Audrey Leprince, The Game Bakers’ COO and cofounder. “Ape Entertainment has a proven track record within the comics industry and we’re excited to partner with them to bring our hungry fans more of the SQUIDS stories they love.”

 “What attracted us to the Squids property was its gorgeous cartoon art, comical storyline and intriguing characters,” said David Hedgecock, CEO of Ape Entertainment. “This combination is the perfect setup to expand upon its rich storyline and dive deeper into the backstory for an underwater adventure fans will love to read and explore.”

Ape Entertainment plans to release the full-coluor comic book series in print as well as through a standalone SQUIDS Comics app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in the coming months.

• For more information visit www.ape-entertainment.com or http://thegamebakers.com/.

'Romantically Apocalyptic' comic's crowdfunding appeal success astonishes creators

A lot of creative types are waking up to the potential of crowdfunding a new project, seeking financial pledges of support for new book, comics, web projects and more via sites such as Indeigogo and Kickstarter.

As with any such initiative, their success is of course dependent on the appeal of the project, the support its creators may already have through their existing fanbase and the amount of attention their crowdfunding appeal gets across the web.

While there are plenty of projects that simply get the funding sought (and even more that don't), sometimes a proposal attracts much more support than expected - prompting the creators involved to seek even higher goals.

A case in point is this positive crowd sourcing story from Canada. A small team in Toronto wanting to increase production of their hugely popular web comic - Romantically Apocalyptic - have quickly raised nearly $30,000 via Indiegogo, more than double their original goal, offering backers an entertaining mix of rewards for their support.

To their surprize, they’ve successfully mobilized their avid fanbase to help send their work to an even wider audience and are now looking to use the money to develop their comic into a live action TV series.

Romantically Apocalyptic, a stunning looking weekly web comic, is produced by Vitaly S Alexius and a huge team of regular and guest artists listed here on the comic's web site.

Just over a year ago the team launched the first physical volume of Romantically Apocalyptic, a self-published title printed in Toronto and shipped out on an ad-hoc basis. Back then, they had a few thousand followers on Facebook and 800,000 page views per month to their website. Now those numbers have gone up to 60,000 Facebook fans (www.facebook.com/ZeeCaptain) and four million page views, yet the physical books are still sent the same way: a few at a time, "and with a frustrating wait if you happen not to live on the American continent!", the team admit.

In an effort to sell more copies of their print collections, the team initiated an appeal on Indiegogo to raise $10,000 to do a large scale print run of not only the original volume, but also volume two, which they have started selling at select comicons. Both are around 100 pages and contain significantly more content than that shown on the website alone.

The team also had a live action series at the pre-production stage, which they want to kick into a higher gear, and, due to popular demand, they want to release an Romantically Apocalyptic-inspired companion music album.

Now, with a huge response to their appeal which easily covers the first arm of their project - a new print collection - they're pushing onward to secure the funding needed to produce their tv show and album.

Judging by the response so far it looks like they'll suceed.

"We never, in our wildest dreams, anticipated we'd get such a positive and speedy response from you, our community," a member of the team commented. "We're so overwhelmed with the support and trust you've shown us that we have to admit we were wrong to set our ambitions so low."

The second stage of fund sourcing is now underway. Good luck to them.

- Check out the appeal on Indiegogo