ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS ANNOUNCES 2007 SCHEDULE

[MattBrady]

From Archaia Studios Press

After a 2006 that saw ASP and its titles earn numerous honors, awards, and praise, we’re pleased to announce an expanding publishing schedule for 2007. Of course we continue our highly praised titles THE KILLER, OKKO: THE CYCLE OF WATER, THE SECRET HISTORY, and ARTESIA BESIEGED. And you can expect new series for both ROBOTIKA and MOUSE GUARD. But we also have new titles in store from an exciting line-up of new talent.

INANNA'S TEARS by Rob Vollmar and mpMann (5 issues, Summer 2007)
In Sumer, before the rise of the kingship, the prosperous city of Birith is known throughout the land for its devotion to the goddess Inanna. But after a thousand years of plenty, the city is in danger of being overrun by the nomadic refugees that swell in number outside of its walls. A proto-historical romantic tragedy in five acts, 5000 years in the making...

STARKWEATHER: IMMORTAL by Piers Anthony, David Rodriguez and Patrick McEvoy
(5 issues beginning in June) The Starkweather series, begun with Arcana Studios, returns with a short story penned by fantasy legend Piers Anthony. More than two thousand years ago, a Roman soldier named Cartaphilus struck a prisoner who was to be executed by crucifixion. From that moment, he was cursed by God and fate to walk the earth until Christ’s return. Doomed to always bleed, always hurt…and never die. His story leads into the new Starkweather: Immortal series, chronicling Alexander Starkweather’s date with destiny.



REVERE by Ed Lavallee and Grant Bond (hardcover graphic novel, July)
When a supernatural killer stalks the townspeople of Boston against the backdrop of the first shots of the American Revolution, renowned silversmith and monster hunter Paul Revere is called in to fight the evil. Collects the four-issue series originally put out by Alias, and lays the groundworks for a new Revere series.



AWAKENING by Nick Tapalansky and Alex Eckman-Lawn (10 issues beginning in Aug)
A series of missing-persons and gruesome murders has begun to unfold in the city of Park Falls. When town crazy Cynthia Ford visits former police detective Derrick Peters, she utters only one word to explain it all: zombies.






KILLING PICKMAN by Jason Becker and Jon Rea (6 issues beginning in Aug)
William Zu, a New York homicide detective, just made the arrest of his career: Richard Pickman, a serial killer of over one hundred children. But as his frustration at being clean-up man to the detritus of the world becomes a deep depression, Zu makes a potentially fatal mistake: he decides to kill Pickman. Fatal, because Pickman’s ritual killings were not the work of an ordinary psychopath, but of a man making sacrifices to a very real demon.



THE BLACK KNIGHT by Robert Randle and Aaron Campbell (6 issues beginning in Sept)
Throughout the lands of the known world, the ten Reliquum gods walk the earth with man, but on the continent of Shathlatamia, it is man who determines his own fate. Beholden to no god, no king, with a legacy passing from father to son, a lone warrior—the Wandering Champion, the Patron Saint of The Good Fight, the Black Knight—lives a life of ultimate self-sacrifice.



PRIMORDIA by John R. Fultz and Roel Wielinga (3 issues beginning in Sept)
In a world of primeval fantasy, a wood nymph adopts a pair of infants abandoned in the ancient forest of the woodfolk, and they grow to exhibit mysterious powers of sorcery. But as the twin brothers come of age and their brutal natures manifest, the Woodking exiles them into the savage world of Man.






THE LONG COUNT by Jason L. Blair and Leanne Buckley (12 issues beginning in Oct)
Though their home was founded on the traditions of the Maya, the denizens of Colombiana don't much believe in the long count: the end of the Mayan calendar, the end of the world. They claim it’s mythology, superstition. And even the warnings of the great dragon Quetzalcoatl have not changed their minds. Twenty-three-year-old Carmen Sandoval is about to be burdened with a terrible and righteous task: to travel to the center of Colombiana and bring a close to all Creation, to rebuild the world in the image of the one destined to destroy it.






HOLLOW by Larime Taylor, Duncan Eagleson, and Danielle Sylvie Taylor (5 issues beginning in Oct)
Diagnosed with albinism and autism, one could say that life never gave young Sam Andrews any color. Sam was born without a soul; he is a living, breathing Void, and as that Void grows in strength reality begins to unravel around it. He can't help the fact that he is becoming the greatest threat that the universe has ever seen. Award-winning disabled playwright Taylor examines the human condition and uses the soul as a metaphor for disability in this modern-day gothic fairytale.



MISERICORDIA by Rebekah Brem (11 issues beginning in Nov)
Having been overcome by humanoid robots of their own creation, forced to surrender themselves and their families, humans were long ago imprisoned in asylums. And for generations, the escapees have built underground refugee cities. Luscinia Solita is a trader, swapping drugs for information with the humanoids on the Surface. But infatuation and loneliness give birth to a highly dangerous affair with a young humanoid obsessed with humans. In this dystopian vision of the future, the true meaning of a human being is questioned and the fine line between monster and human is realized.



HYBRID BASTARDS by Tom Pinchuk and Kate Glasheen (3 issues beginning in Nov)
Zeus is a god with a reputation based on a simple truth: he’s an unrepentant, philandering cad. And it’s been driving his wife Hera nuts for years. One night in a passive-aggressive act of revenge, she places a spell on Zeus, a spell that causes him to fall in lust with every inanimate object in sight. Eighteen years later, Zeus’ hybrid bastards are wandering the world. Angered by his most embarrassing night of infidelity, Zeus sends his goons to take care of them. And they do—all except Cotton, a smarmy cloth patchwork; Carmine, a timid automobile; Corey, a self-loathing apple; Walter, a belligerent stack of bricks; and Panos. Through schemes both ingenious and idiotic, will they force their negligent father to acknowledge them?



SCARS by Durwin Talon and Guin Thompson (3 issues beginning in Dec)
Ridley Bourne is in the twilight of his life. Born before 1900, he has lived through some extraordinary times. His long life has left him with scars, each of them with a story to tell. As his granddaughter, Maddie, hears these stories, they become the basis of a journey into both her grandfather’s past and the soaring heights of imagination.



SOME NEW KIND OF SLAUGHTER or LOST IN THE FLOOD (AND HOW WE FOUND HOME AGAIN): DILUVIAN MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD by A. David Lewis and mpMann (4 issues, beginning in Dec)
If there is one constant throughout most of Earth's historical nations, cultures, and religions, it is the threat and the destruction of the Great Flood. In the wake of the recent Indian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and alarm over global warming, the award-winning creators of THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS return to plumb the depths of the world's great myths with this all-ages mini-series, exploring how this legendary fear may be more relevant now than ever before.

More information about ASP’s 2007 line-up can be found at our website, www.aspcomics.com, along with a downloadable .pdf of our 2007 Catalog. The catalog will also be available at our booth at this weekend’s NY Comic-Con, booth #455.

All of ASP’s titles are available at finer comic book retailers and bookstores worldwide.

ABOUT ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS
Mark Smylie founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as the home for his epic fantasy comic book, Artesia. Artesia, winner of ForeWord Magazine’s Best Graphic Novel of 2003, and its sequels -- Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire -- are available at finer bookstores and comic book shops everywhere. Artesia: Adventures in The Known World, a new RPG based on Mark’s creation, expanded ASP into the world of gaming. In 2005, Mark expanded ASP to publish a line of award-winning creator-owned titles. More information can be found at http://www.aspcomics.com.

[ShinAkuma666]

Wow, thats a big expension, best of luck to Archaia, I just love Artesia, its such a great title ! Inana's Tears looks like something that should appeal to Artesia readers from the get go.

Looking at those titles, I say that I will get 75% of them at least, they all look great.

Cant wait to get Mouse Guard in HC and that The Killer, Okko and Secret History go in tpb.

I think Archaia has been really smart; no gimmicks, limited series, the previews bot in art and in writing always looks smart and well done.

Only thing, I wish their website was more user friendly.

Best of luck with our current and future projects Mark !

[nyhardcore]

What I've seen of Awakening looks awesome. Revere, Killing Pickman and The Black Knight all look pretty cool, too. Can't wait to check them all out.

[boomboom]

PRIMORDIA....mmmm

that looks darn intresting!!

[Cray_ws]

Wow, if they can put all that on the shelves in a timely fashion, this will be my next favorite publisher. I am anxiously awaiting the Mouse Guard and Robotika collected editions, and have already own Artesia books. This publisher doesn't put out any poorly crafted books, everything they publish reeks of quality. Sounds bias but if you don't like their books its probably the genre or the story. Nothing to do with poor writing and bad, cheap art. This publisher is what the standard should be for all other comic publishers. Quality and appreciation to the comics medium, especially to its readers.

Now I haven't read these new books shown here, but given ASP's history, you can pretty much know they will deliver the goods. So take a chance on any of these new books.

[ziza9]

never mind. Long Count...gonna check it out.

[tof]

Lots of interesting things coming from Archaia this year. If these new books are half as good as Artesia or Mouse Guard I'll buy several of them.

[tiso_spencer]

Interesting books there for 2007. I already tried Artesia first-hand through the first 2 hardcovers. I want to know when the third is coming out. I also ordered Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 HC as a time read of the series in the last Previews. Okko: The Cycle of Water I am going to purchase as a HC as well in August.

[Supreme Convoy]

Awakening sounds cool!

I just can't get enough of zombies.

[CoreyB]

I think Archaia is trying to woo me.

And I think it's working.

[Egg]

Piers Anthony! I'm all over this! Make Mine Archaia!

[CrimsonCross]

ASP has delivered some solid stuff, MOUSE GUARD was one of the best books that I've read in some time that was not super-hero related... can't wait for the next series!

[Blackbeard]

Congrats to my buddies Grant Bond, Ed Lavallee and Dave Rodriguez!
Great news, guys! You know I'll be supporting your work.

[javito]

Look interestin´

[mpMann]

Originally Posted by ShinAkuma666

Inanna's Tears looks like something that should appeal to Artesia readers from the get go.

I've seen the 2007 ASP catalog and the whole line-up looks like a lot of fun, with some clever titles and terrific artwork across the board.

Rob and I hope you like Inanna's Tears. Artesia lovers may well like it, although its more in the realm of historical fiction.

And did you know that Inanna's Tears is currently serializing at Modern Tales Strip Lounge? Check us out!

http://www.moderntales.com/comics/inanna.php

[mpMann]

I've seen the 2007 ASP catalog and the whole line-up looks like a lot of fun, with some clever titles and terrific artwork across the board.

Rob and I hope you like Inanna's Tears. Artesia lovers may well like it, although its more in the realm of historical fiction.

And did you know that Inanna's Tears is currently serializing at Modern Tales Strip Lounge? Check us out!

http://www.moderntales.com/comics/inanna.php

[NTapalansky]

Hey everyone! First of all, thanks for the kind words about Awakening guys - we're really happy with the book and hope you'll be too.

First, the shameless plug: Find out more about Awakening at http://www.MySpace.com/AwakeningComic or http://www.comicspace.com/TheHumungusStudio.

Next, the go team: Like a lot of you have been saying (including my esteemed fellow creator, mpMann), Archaia only puts out the highest quality books and we creators are a lucky lot to be associating our wares with them. The 2007 catalog is PHENOMENAL - if you haven't seen it yet, go check it out at the Archaia site!

Thanks again for checking us out - can't wait to hear what you think come August when Awakening hits the streets....

- Nick

[Kristin]

Man, I sure hope this stuff is spaced out throughout the year so I can afford to buy it all...

[mpMann]

It pretty much is, starting this summer. Of course the European books are underway now. the Killer is a favorite of mine. But all of the new stuff starts in varying months, publishes on differing schedules, and continues for varying amounts of time.

My follow-up to The Lone and Level Sands, with A. David Lewis, is a collection of flood myths with unifying thread. Its a very differnt kind of structure and has a unique title:

Some New Kind of Slaughter ~or~ Lost in the Flood (and How We Found Home Again) : Diluvian Myths from Around the World.

whew!

It won't start until December, well after Inanna's Tears. Some other books go direct to OGN, I believe.

[Del Gorky]

Archaia Studios is offering what everyone keeps asking for. Something new and something that's an alternative to more superhero crud. So quit talking about it and start buying them. Artesia is terrific and Inanna's Tears looks good. I'm sure I'll purchase Revere too. If readers and posters do want more than just capes and boobs, here's a good place to start.

[Thomas Mauer]

The Killer is a great book and the new lineup looks fantastic. Can't wait to see people's reactions to the various titles Archaia has coming out - and that sweet, sweet zombie book in particular.

[NTapalansky]

and that sweet, sweet zombie book in particular.

I know, that book looks AMAZING - can't wait to get my hands on it! It's probably the finest piece of written word combined with beautiful artwork (and quite lovely lettering) that I've ever seen. As a matter of fact I...

What's that?

I'm logged in as myself?

Oh.

I....should go.
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Nick Tapalansky, Writer/Creator - AWAKENING coming in August '07 from Archaia Studios Press

Awakening on Myspace
Awakening at Archaia Studios Press
The Humungus Studio on ComicSpace

[NICKD]

Wow, some great books by ASP I'm really excited. I wish everyone the best of luck, you all have my support.

[ShinAkuma666]

Just added Robotika to my Amazon cart, since its availlable in hardcover, I like that on Archaia's site, theres previews of all the titles, on many issues. Something thats quite logic but that a couple of publishers dont do for some reason.

Just registed on their forum, I have a feeling its gonna be a great and busy year for them in 2007 !

[M. Costello]

That's some diverse lineout. No sign though of that Iron Empires: Blood und Iron mini series announced a good while back. Does anyone know if it still be published through Archaia Studio Press?