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Arcana Newsletter for Halloween 2010, Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 10.5 October
18, 2010
This Month in October
1. Celebrate Halloween with Arcana
2. Arcana Named Top Exporter
3. John Byrne Covers Shadowflame
4. Canadian Legion Contest
5. Scrooge and Santa
6. Ghoul of the Month
7. In Previews
8. Shipping This Month
9. Interview with Joe Martino
Celebrate Halloween With Arcana
Haiku
Attention ghouls and boys, Arcana is delivering some spooktacular treats for
this year's Halloween!
From A Cat Named Haiku to Zombie Warriors, Arcana has something for everyone.
If horror is your thing, may we suggest American Wasteland? Truck driver Cletus
McCoy battles a vampire apocalypse on his way home to rescue his Mama. Or how
about the dark, mystery known as Gauze? A dark series of events that revolve
around those connected to the mysterious serial killer who wraps his head in
medical gauze.
If you like your horror a little lighter, bring home some tiki goodness with
Koni Waves: The Perfect Wave! Koni Kanawai, an ex-cop in Honolulu, Hawaii,
encounters a series of supernatural events that leads her to discover a dark
side of her island not seen in the usual tourist spots. Also, relive the days
of classic horror cinema with the beautiful usher from beyond the grave, Velvet
Rope! Velvet delivers a series of horror shorts in this new collection that
will make a killing at the box office!
For the little ones, how about Howard and the Frozen Kingdom? After visiting
his father in Arkham Zanitarium, young Howard Lovecraft ignores his father's
warning and uses the legendary Necronomicon to open a portal to a strange
frozen world filled with horrifying creatures and grave danger! Or if pets are
your thing, check out Arcana's resident litte devil, the mischevious A Cat
Named Haiku! Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Haiku is also a little cat who
can't seem to stay out of trouble. A Cat Named Haiku tells the story of the day
in the life of a mischevious little cat.
Arcana Named One of BC's Top Exporters!
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) have selected Arcana Studio one of
BC's Top 25 exporters by the BC Export Awards.
In its 28th year, the BC Export Awards, Canada's longest-running export award
program, honors BC's Top 25 exporters for leading the charge in bringing BC and
Canada's expertise to world markets. These awards are vital to increasing
public awareness of the importance of exporting and global trade to our
provincial economy, our collective future and our standard of living.
Arcana's outstanding contributions to the international markets will be
featured in n upcoming issue of 20/20 Magazine, as part of the BC Export Awards
Gala taking place November 19th, 2010.
For more information, please visit: [1]http://www.cme-mec.ca/
John Byrne Covers Shadowflame
Shadowflame Industry legend, John Byrne, is lending his artistic talents to the
wraparound cover of the new Shadowflame tradepaperback (Diamond Code: SEP10
0773) out this November.
John Byrne rose to fame in the late 70s' with his lwork with Chris Claremont on
the Uncanny X-men. His run would last over 3 years and include the creation of
fan favorite character, Kitty Pryde. His 6 year run on the Fantastic Four is
considered by many to be a "2nd Golden Age." In 1986, Byrne helped DC
revitalize the Superman franchise with The Man Of Steel series. In the 90s, he
launched the popular creator-owned series, John Byrne's Next Men. He continues
to be a presence in the industry with his work on popular licensed
properties Angel and Star Trek. Arcana is proud to have him provide the cover
for the new Shadowflame collection.
Shadowflame tells the story of officer Tom Wyatt. After his wife, Janice, is
murdered he tried to find solace in his own grief and despair. He attempted to
end his own life. Instead he found himself transported to a ship orbitting the
Earth. The aliens aboard explained that he could not kill himself for he was
the last of a chosen line. A family line which possessed the perfect genetic
impirint to recive the "gift of power" and become a third holy man of Isht. So
after hearing the story of Isht and his family, Tom agreed to take the power.
In a painful ceremony he was endowed with powers that set him apart from other
men. He was now a superman, capable of vast feats of strength, flight,
telekinetic force bolts, and all the rewards of being a holy man. This gave him
not only great powers, but a reason to live. The tradepaperback collects for
the first time all four issues of the series which was originally released in
2007.
For more information, please visit: [2]www.arcana.com or if you want to see
more about Shadowflame you can visit his fan page on Facebook:
[3]htpp://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shadowflame/119600607608
Enter the Canadian Legion Contest
[4]Canadian Legion Before Melissa Maple became an Intelligence Specialist for
the CSIS, she was a teenage pop star! Ever since gaining the ability to control
people with her voice, she has become a serious professional. But what if she
decided to wear a costume? What if she had become a superhero before spending
ten years with the RCMP?
In the style of classic fashion design contests of years past, Arcana Studio
and The Canadian Legion want you to design Melissa's make believe costume!
Lucky winners will receive posters, signed comics, and publication of your
artwork in a letter's page of the Canadian Legion comic! The contest runs from
October 1st to December 31st, 2010. Winners will be announced on January 14th,
2011.
For complete contest rules, please visit:
[5]http://legionunleashed.blogspot.com/2007/11/melissa-maple.html
Scrooge and Santa GN Scrooge and Santa
"Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't have as much as me!" These are
the first words spoken by Scrooge in "Scrooge and Santa" the innovative new
graphic novel coming December 2010 from Arcana Comics.
Written by Matthew Wilson (Cartoon Networks's "Krypto the Superdog" and Disney
Channel's "Brandy and Mr. Whiskers") and illustrated by Josh Kenfield
(Barenaked Ladies Storyboard Artist), "Scrooge and Santa" is a revisionist take
on the classic Christmas Carol tale.
The idea for the book started when writer Matthew Wilson was home with his
family watching Christmas movies. He started to wonder what would happen if
ideas from "A Christmas Carol," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th St."
and other Christmas classics were all rolled into one package. What would
happen if a rich Scrooge had to become poor like George Bailey and could only
save himself if he saved Santa Claus? The ultimate Christmas story was born!
It's never to early to start your Christmas shopping so be sure to order this
comedic adventure story for Christmas fans of all ages. In stores December
2010!
Buy the book
now: [6]http://www.amazon.com/Scrooge-Santa-Matthew-Wilson/dp/1897548982/ref=sr
_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287024865&sr=8-1
Ghoul of the Month: Philospher Rex
Philospher Rex
This Halloween we would like to honor, Dr. Ishmael Stone, Philospher,
detective, monster-hunter, primes inter pares of a shadowy network of
supernatural guardians sworn to shelter the world from the Infernal Orders as
our ghoul of the month! Check out the book Aint It Cool News calls, "Part
Doctor Strange, part Ghost Hunters, part Scooby Doo, Philospher Rex is both fun
and scary all at once."
In Previews
[7]Anywhere In Previews, for items shipping in December, Arcana will be
publishing Anywhere TP (OCT10 0758), Chaotic Soldiers GN (OCT10 0759), Dead Men
Tell No Tales Vol. 2 GN (OCT10 0760), Opera Manga GN (OCT10 0761), Pixies #1
(OCT10 0762), Scrooge and Santa GN (OCT10 0763), and Unimaginable GN (OCT10
0764).
Shipping This Month
[8]Velvet Rope Arcana has the following treats for the month of October: 3 GN
(AUG10 0756), Candice Crow GN (AUG10 0757), Velvet Rope TP (AUG10 0758), and
Wonderdog Inc GN (AUG10 0759).
Interview with Joe Martino
[9]Shadowflame
This month, Arcana's Vice President of Operations, Mark Poulton sits down with
Shadowflame creator, Joe Martino! MP: How would you describe Shadowflame for
those unfamiliar with the series?
JM: Shadowflame is a reluctant hero. He was at the end of his rope a month
after his wife was murdered due to his ambition. He didn't chose this role of
protector of an entire planet, but he accepts it and it gives him a reason to
live. I think all of us have a little hero in us. Sometimes it takes a
traumatic event to make us rise above our day to day doldrums and be the person
we need to be. Shadowflame is that story. A man that was so down that nothing
could make him get up, until he realized he was Earth's only hope. I think that
Shadowflame is like those old Fantastic Four type cosmic stories. We see his
origin, have a few heroes meet him, throw a few cool villians in and then BAM!
here comes Galactus ready to lay waste to the planet.
MP: How did you come up with idea for the book?
JM: I created Shadowflame when I was 15 years old. At first he was just a
character that I created because I wanted to show a man getting engulfed by
invisible fire and see his flesh boil. I know, that is a little intense for a
15 year old. He has changed a great deal since then. I was a big DC and Marvel
fan. People have said to me that Shadowflame reminds then of a Marvel hero in a
DC world. I take that as a compliment. Shadowflame is definitely a throwback to
the heroes I enjoyed as a kid. Late 70's to 80's. But with today's production
quality. But again, I just wanted to tell stories like I used to read. Fun and
cosmic, yet they make you care about the man behind the mask. He evolved from
different moments in my life and 8 or so years later I decided to make my own
comics. I released the original black and white mini-series in 1996 through my
own company JGM Comics and issue 4 was picked up by CFD Productions. In 2001 or
so, I decided (with the help of Peter Palmiotti) that I wanted to pull a George
Lucas and re-envision a few things and redraw parts that I didn't like in
color. That turned out to be the 4 issue mini-series that Arcana released in
2007 and what is wrapped up in this trade. There is also a title page by Mike
Grell and chapter breaks by Andie Tong, Bob Layton, Rudy Nebres, and Paul Ryan.
MP: The new tpb collection features a wraparound cover by John Byrne. What is
it lke having such a comic legend draw your character?
JM: My God. Let me tell you. Even after looking at this cover for 2 years (the
original is on my wall) I can't get enough of it. When I was younger, and even
today, there wasn't a John Byrne comic that I didn't read. I bought everything
he did. Even if it was only on the cover. So you can imagine the humbling
experience that I had when he said he would do it. I have literally had a dream
come true. I mean, this is the guy who inspired me to pick up a pencil, and now
he created this amazing piece of art that wraps up my work. Amazing. Truly
amazing.
MP: Did John have any feedback on the character?
JM: Well, he's done 2 commissions of Shadowflame and a full wraparound for the
trade. So, I guess he likes the look of the character. But, he didn't give me a
verbal or written confirmation of that.
MP: Are there any new adventures in store for Shadowflame?
JM: Yes. Shadowflame is involved in a few crossovers that will be around in the
coming two years. One is the Curse of the Cortes Stone which will be released
through Arcana. It is our crossover into the War of the Independents and it
stars Shadowflame, the Wraith, and Johnny Saturn. I am also working with the
same creative team to put together a Shadowflame/Wraith crossover that is
firmly based in my "JGM Universe" and ties into the Graphic Novel. Shadowflame
is a labor of love for me. I have many stories rolling around in my noggin that
are just waiting to be developed.
MP: Before we go, would you like to tell us about your upcoming Arcana book,
Ripperman? JM: Compared to Shadowflame, Ripperman is the other end of the
spectrum. He is definitelyan anti-hero of sorts. He was created by God and the
Devil to rid the world of those who would have otherwise escaped their deserved
ends. When I was young there were a few things in my life that made me doubt a
lot of what I believed. Ripperman is the realization that the world needs a
killer of killers. A punisher of people who would prey on the weak or
down-trodden. The original graphic novel is huge. It has over 130 pages of
story. It shows a man who is torn between being good, or giving in to his base
instincts to be evil. He was truly born of both demon and angel and he is
constantly at odds with this paradox. So, there is always an internal
struggle. But Ripperman is also resentful of both his "parent's" who he thinks
are both petty and use him to get back at each other. It helped bring to light
a lot of feelings that I personally was having and I found myself relating to
this character. But then again, I am the writer.
[10]www.arcana.com
References
1. http://www.cme-mec.ca/
2. http://www.arcana.com/
3. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shadowflame/119600607608
4. http://legionunleashed.blogspot.com/2007/11/melissa-maple.html
5. http://legionunleashed.blogspot.com/2007/11/melissa-maple.html
6. http://www.amazon.com/Scrooge-Santa-Matthew-Wilson/dp/1897548982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287024865&sr=8-1
7. http://www.koniwaves.com/
8. http://www.comixology.com/arcana_comics/2010/10
9. http://www.arcanacomics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=43&sid=ea18fe750614494a373373da97dedb88
10. http://www.arcana.com/
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